HRTC driver assault: Four Panchkula tourists held in Shimla

Shimla, May 25

Four tourists from Panchkula have been arrested for allegedly assaulting a Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus driver near Shimla, the police said. The accused — Vikas Kumar, Vicky Kumar, Pratibha and Pankaj — are all residents of Abheypur in Panchkula.

According to police, the incident took place on Sunday morning in the Kachchi Ghati area after an overtaking incident involving a Volvo bus travelling from Delhi to Shimla and an HR-registered Scorpio vehicle.

Officials said the occupants of the Scorpio stopped the bus and allegedly attacked the driver, leaving him injured.

The incident triggered a strike by HRTC drivers’ unions across the state, disrupting bus services. Services were later restored after police arrested the four accused.

The Police from Baluganj station reached the spot and arrested two accused, identified as Pankaj Kumar and Vikas Kumar. A case was registered against them under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Two other accused, Vicky Kumar and his wife Pratibha, initially fled towards Theog. However, police detained them and later handed them over to the Baluganj police, after which they were also arrested.

After the arrest of all four accused, the HRTC Drivers’ Union called off the strike and resumed bus services.

Shimla Police said strict action will be taken against anyone found involved in violence against public service employees. An investigation into the incident is underway.