NewsFirst Impact: BMTC suspends 9 officials after drunk-driving scandal in e-bus division

Following NewsFirst’s exclusive report exposing BMTC’s drunk-driving case among electric bus drivers, the corporation has suspended nine officials, including a depot manager, for corruption and endangering passenger safety.

In a major fallout following NewsFirst’s exclusive investigation, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has suspended nine officials, including a Depot-35 manager, after uncovering widespread corruption and negligence linked to drunk-driving among electric bus drivers.

A week after NewsFirst aired video evidence of BMTC electric bus drivers reporting to duty under the influence of alcohol, the corporation launched an internal probe led by the Security and Vigilance Department. The investigation confirmed that several officials had accepted bribes from intoxicated drivers in exchange for allowing them to operate buses, putting hundreds of passengers at risk.

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According to BMTC sources, officials from Depot-35 (Kannahalli) were directly involved in the misconduct. Nearly 150 drivers, who were found drunk through breath analyser tests, were allegedly cleared for duty after paying bribes worth several thousand rupees to depot staff.

Despite clear rules that prohibit assigning duty to drivers under the influence of alcohol, the officials allegedly overlooked safety checks for money. The Security and Vigilance Wing identified multiple violations and recommended immediate disciplinary action.

The suspended officials include:

•    M.G. Krishna – Depot Manager
•    Srinivas D – Traffic Inspector
•    Arun Kumar E.S. – Assistant Accountant
•    Pratibha K.S. – Junior Assistant
•    Manjunath M – Home Guard Havaldar
•    Manjunath S.G. – Home Guard Constable
•    Chetan Kumar – Home Guard Constable
•    Puneet Kumar – Home Guard Constable
•    Lakshmi K – Home Guard Constable

BMTC officials confirmed that further disciplinary measures and criminal proceedings may follow.

The incident has reignited concerns over BMTC’s operational safety, as the corporation has witnessed a worrying series of accidents involving its electric and diesel fleets in recent months.

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From Nagadevanahalli’s brake failure crash in January to multiple fatal pedestrian and motorcyclist accidents across Peenya, Jayanagar, Yelahanka, and K.R. Market, the trend has raised serious questions about training, vehicle maintenance, and staff accountability.

Recent cases include:

•    Nagadevanahalli (Jan 19): Bus crashed into a shop after brake failure.
•    Ramanohalli (Apr 1): BMTC bus blocked Vande Bharat train track.
•    Goraguntepalya (Apr 14): Electric bus jumped bridge after brake failure.
•    Peenya (Jul 18): Woman fatally hit by electric bus driven by a conductor.
•    Chamarajpet (Jul 30): Child injured after bus ran over two-wheeler.
•    Madiwala (Jul 30): Elderly woman killed while crossing the road.
•    RR Nagar (Oct 9): Motorcyclist killed after being hit by a BMTC bus.
•    Rajajinagar (Oct 11): 9-year-old girl crushed under a BMTC bus.
•    Chinnaswamy Stadium (Oct 11): Series collision involving 10 vehicles caused by BMTC driver.
•    Hampinagar (Oct 25): Pedestrian killed after being hit by an electric bus.