Hubballi Police Arrest Bullock Cart Riders for Attacking NWKRTC Bus Driver

Hubballi: Bendigeri police have arrested three individuals in connection with the assault of an NWKRTC bus driver on Saturday. The accused, identified as Takangouda Patil, Annappa Chabbi, and Maruti Hallikeri, allegedly attacked and threatened NWKRTC bus driver Shivanand Pujar while he was en route to Halyal village near Sonia Gandhi Nagar.

According to the police, the incident occurred when the driver honked at the accused, who were riding bullock carts, to give way. Despite covering over 300 meters, the accused continued to block the bus’s path, prompting the driver to honk repeatedly. This reportedly angered the bullock cart riders, who then stopped their carts in the middle of the road, approached the bus, and began verbally abusing the driver for honking.

When the driver explained that he needed to reach Halyal promptly as students were waiting for their morning bus to Hubballi, the accused disregarded his explanation. They allegedly proceeded to assault him, hitting him with both their hands and a whip, and even threatened both the driver and conductor of the bus.

Following the incident, the driver filed a complaint with the Bendigeri police, leading to the prompt arrest of the three accused.