Rage, Recklessness, and Tragedy: The Night a Drunken Passenger’s Fury Turned a Mumbai Bus into a Weapon
Mumbai, a city that never sleeps, witnessed a horrifying incident in the Lalbaug area on Sunday night, one that turned a routine bus ride into a deadly tragedy. The incident unfolded when a 40-year-old passenger, allegedly in a heavily intoxicated state, forcefully seized control of a BEST bus steering wheel, leading to a catastrophic accident that claimed one life and injured eight others. The shocking sequence of events was reportedly triggered by the passenger’s anger when the driver refused to stop at a signal for him to alight.
The passenger, identified as Datta Murlidhar Shinde, has since been arrested by the Mumbai police. He faces serious charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and obstructing a public servant under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The fatal accident has not only resulted in severe legal consequences for Shinde but has also left a deep scar on the lives of the victims and their families.
A Moment of Rage with Tragic Consequences
Datta Shinde, a resident of Lalbaug, boarded the bus in Colaba with no indication of the mayhem he was about to unleash. According to police reports, Shinde, who was under the influence of alcohol, became enraged when the bus driver, Kamlesh Prajapati, refused to stop at a signal where Shinde wanted to get off. Instead of waiting for the next designated stop, Shinde’s frustration boiled over into a violent outburst. In a fit of anger, he lunged at Prajapati, grabbing the steering wheel in an attempt to force the bus to halt.
Prajapati, caught off guard by the sudden assault, struggled to maintain control of the vehicle. His panic only worsened the situation. As he tried to fend off Shinde, he accidentally pressed the accelerator instead of the brake, sending the bus careening out of control. The bus veered wildly across the road, crashing into two cars, a motorcycle, and tragically, two pedestrians.
A Life Cut Short
Among the nine people injured in the accident, 30-year-old Nupur Subhash Maniyaar suffered the most severe injuries. Despite the immediate response from police officers stationed nearby, who rushed the injured to KEM Hospital, Maniyaar’s injuries proved fatal. She succumbed to her injuries early Monday morning, leaving her family and friends devastated.
Maniyaar, a resident of Chinchpokli in Lalbaug, worked as an assistant in the Income Tax Department. Her life was one of responsibility and service. After losing her father to COVID-19, she became the sole breadwinner for her family, shouldering the financial burdens with quiet resilience. Her tragic death has left her family in despair, particularly as she was set to be married after Diwali.
Nupur was not just a diligent worker; she was also an active member of her community. She volunteered regularly at the Lalbaugcha Raja, Mumbai’s most famous Ganesh mandal. On the night of the accident, she was returning home on a two-wheeler after collecting her volunteer badge for the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations when the bus struck her vehicle. The impact was severe, and the injuries she sustained were too much for her to overcome.
A Troubled History and Legal Repercussions
As the investigation into the accident unfolded, more troubling details about Datta Shinde emerged. Police revealed that Shinde is a known alcoholic with a checkered past. He lives in Lalbaug with his wife and son but has struggled to maintain stable employment. Shinde previously worked as a driver but has been doing odd jobs since becoming unemployed. His history includes a prior accident and an assault case, painting a picture of a man with a volatile temperament and a disregard for the law.
Shinde’s actions on Sunday night have now led to his arrest, and he is facing charges that could result in a lengthy prison sentence. The charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and obstructing a public servant are serious, reflecting the gravity of his actions. The police have made it clear that they intend to pursue the case with full force, seeking justice for the victims of this senseless act of rage.
A Community in Mourning
The Lalbaug community, known for its close-knit nature, is in mourning. The loss of Nupur Maniyaar has left a void that will be hard to fill. Her family, friends, and colleagues are struggling to come to terms with the fact that a moment of senseless violence has robbed them of a bright and promising young woman. As they prepare for her final rites, the community is rallying around them, offering support in this time of unimaginable grief.
In the aftermath of this tragedy, there are calls for stricter measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The accident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of allowing anger and recklessness to dictate our actions. For those left behind, the road to healing will be long, but the memory of Nupur Maniyaar will undoubtedly inspire them to seek justice and ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.
