Noida: The manager of Delhi-based Raj Kalpana Travels was arrested on Friday for allegedly ignoring repeated warnings that the bus that burst into flames on Yamuna Expressway, killing nine persons on Wednesday night, needed urgent servicing before another long journey.Police said the driver and conductor had earlier alerted manager Vikas about defects, unusual noises and problems with equipment, but the vehicle was still allowed to head out on its journey from Kashmere Gate to Mahoba – a distance of 600km. The bus had 35 passengers on board.The arrest came after a preliminary probe pointed to faulty wiring as a possible trigger for the fire. Officials said multiple lights and LED strips were operating in the bus along with the air conditioning system, putting heavy load on the electrical wiring. A spark or short circuit may have set off the flames, which then reached the engine lubricant oil and spread rapidly. Police are also examining combustible material near the fuel tanker, disposal of cigarettes in the cabin, overheated mobile phones and high-speed driving.The bus, BR32PA8647, was registered in Bihar and had accumulated more than 60 traffic challans, according to records examined after the crash. Long-distance buses are expected to undergo checks on roadworthiness and safety before each journey. Police are examining whether Raj Kalpana followed the process on Wednesday night, what defects were detected or overlooked and what safety equipment was missing before the vehicle left Kashmere Gate.Several passengers said they had repeatedly alerted the driver and attendant about an acrid or burning smell from the front of the vehicle. Instead of stopping to inspect it, the staff dismissed their warnings. There were also allegations that three staffers in the cabin smoked beedis and cigarettes even after being told about the burning smell.Roni Vishwas of Jalaun told TOI he went to the driver’s cabin around 11pm to warn them about the smell. “All three, including the conductor, were busy on their phones and chit-chatting. They told me ‘it’s normal, go and sit’. I even told them this could be risky, but they didn’t pay heed and continued driving,” he added.Another passenger, Ankit Rajput, said he also asked the driver to stop. “They were smoking beedis and cigarettes and gave me a glare. They told me, ‘smell aati hai, tension na lo, aage rokenge’,” he said.Sunil Kumar, who too complained to the staff, said one of them told him, “go and die if you want”. Police said they were examining these allegations.The issue around the vehicle’s maintenance has also emerged in the police probe. An officer said the driver and conductor had told manager Vikas several times that the bus needed to be checked and serviced before another long trip from Kashmere Gate.“The bus was not being examined despite repeated complaints about its condition. They had informed the manager about unusual noises, defects and problems with equipment, including charging points. They asked him several times to get the vehicle checked for fitness and serviced, but were told to continue operating the bus,” the officer said.The probe has also raised questions over emergency preparedness. Officials said passengers had not been briefed about emergency exits or fire extinguishers. There were allegedly no readily available glass-breaking hammers near seats and no staff member positioned near emergency exits.By the time passengers realised the fire had spread, thick smoke had filled the cabin and escape became difficult. The sleeper layout, narrow passage and panic slowed movement, leaving vulnerable passengers at greater risk.Rinki Rajput, who managed to rush out, said: “Everyone was jostling with each other to come out of the burning bus. The vehicle was filled with smoke and everyone was struggling to breathe. Most of the passengers were asleep. Someone woke me up and told me that the bus had caught fire. We somehow broke a window and jumped out to save our lives. Within moments, the fire engulfed the entire bus. Several people were still trapped inside.”Rekha Bhardwaj, who was injured too, was travelling with her husband, Devendra, to Mahoba. “I was sleeping inside the bus when people started shouting. Everyone began rushing towards the exit, pushing each other in panic. I slipped and fell on the aisle. People climbed over me in their bid to escape,” she said.Vishwamitra Yadav said smoke made escape all the more difficult. “I was sleeping too when the bus caught fire. We all rushed to get out. It was not easy to escape as there was a lot of smoke. Amid the panic, we somehow managed to rush out,” he said.Police arrested Vikas on Friday. Driver Pawan Kumar, backup driver Yogesh Dixit and attendant Rohit Kumar were picked up on Thursday itself. An FIR was registered at Jewar police station under BNS sections 281 for rash driving or riding on a public way, 125(b) for an act endangering life or personal safety of others, 105 for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and 351(3) for criminal intimidation.“We will examine all records and statements to establish whether servicing or safety lapses contributed to the deaths,” an officer said.
