Markapur accident: Pvt bus owner, driver arrested

Markapur:The Markapur police arrested two persons, including the driver and the owner of Harikrishna Travels, on Wednesday, in connection with the horrific accident that claimed 14 lives and left 29 injured near Markapuram in Nandyal district on March 26.

Makrapur DSP U Nagaraju explained at a press meet here on Wednesday that Pandem Yuvaraj (21) of Markandapuram in Pamur mandal, driver of the Harikrishna Travels bus bearing registration number AR20 D 0487, and Papana Haribabu alias Harikrishna (43) of Jarravaripalem village in Kaligiri mandal, Nellore district, bus owner were arrested near the Rayavaram railway bridge on Wednesday.

According to the DSP, the bus, carrying 44 passengers, including two children, was en route from Jagtial to Kaligiri on the night of March 25. The vehicle developed engine trouble due to a sensor malfunction at least three times during the journey. Despite being repeatedly informed of the mechanical failure, the owner instructed the driver to continue, stating that alternate arrangements were not possible in the middle of the night. Critically, Yuvaraj held no valid driving license and had been employed as the driver by the owner for nearly 8 months, who sought to cut costs by avoiding a licensed heavy vehicle driver.