Bengaluru: BMTC conductor accused of assaulting passenger over ₹5 ticket

Bengaluru witnessed an unusual altercation on a Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus after a dispute over a ₹5 ticket reportedly led to an assault. The incident occurred on bus number KA-57 F-4029, which was operating on the Devanahalli–Majestic route.

According to eyewitness accounts, a passenger, who was reportedly not fluent in Kannada, boarded the bus but allegedly failed to collect a ticket from the conductor. During routine checking by BMTC officials, it was discovered that the passenger was traveling without a valid ticket. As per rules, both the passenger and the conductor were fined for the lapse.

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What followed has sparked public outrage. Witnesses claim the conductor, upset over the penalty, allegedly abused the passenger verbally and then slapped him on the forehead. The incident quickly drew the attention of fellow commuters, many of whom strongly condemned the conductor’s behavior.

Passengers question physical assault 

Passengers on board expressed anger, questioning why physical assault was used over a nominal amount. “It is wrong to hit a passenger for five rupees,” several commuters reportedly remarked, highlighting that while ticket violations must be penalized, harassment or assault cannot be justified.

BMTC has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident. However, the episode has reignited discussions on passenger rights and the need for stricter conduct guidelines for staff to ensure that enforcement of rules does not escalate into violence.