The Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) has suspended the captain and guide of an Ama Bus operating in Bhubaneswar following the circulation of a disturbing video showing a passenger being assaulted on board.
The incident, captured by a fellow commuter, has reignited public outrage over safety lapses in the city’s public transport system.
The incident occurred on Route 19 of the Ama Bus service on Friday. The video shows passenger Biswajit Gaigaria allegedly being manhandled and forcibly ejected from the bus near Pahala bus stop. The altercation escalated further when a female co-passenger who objected to the mistreatment was reportedly harassed as well.
In a statement issued later, CRUT confirmed the suspension of the bus staff and said the incident is under serious investigation. CCTV footage from the bus is being reviewed to reconstruct the sequence of events.
“We have taken immediate action and suspended both the captain and guide pending the outcome of the internal inquiry,” the CRUT statement read.
As the investigation progresses, citizens and civic groups have called for stricter oversight, better driver training, and installation of real-time surveillance systems to ensure accountability.
The Bhubaneswar public transport system, once hailed as a model under CRUT, is now facing scrutiny as questions rise over the efficacy of its safety protocols and grievance redressal mechanisms.
