City police to submit report on driver’s ‘misconduct’ to KSRTC

To ensure road safety, the law enforcers will recommend making police clearance certi cates mandatory while empanelling sta members

Mounting pressure on the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) sta er H.L. Yadhu, who was involved in a spat with Thiruvananthapuram Mayor Arya Rajendran, the City police have gathered more evidence of misconduct against the empanelled driver.

In a comprehensive report being readied up for submission to the KSRTC, the law enforcers will also recommend making police clearance certi‡cates mandatory while empanelling sta members.

Call records

A scrutiny of Mr. Yadhu’s call detail records has revealed that he had engaged in a conversation on his mobile phone for nearly an hour during the journey from Thrissur to Thiruvananthapuram on April 27.

Notably, the driver had halted the bus and rested for only nearly 15 minutes during the particular trip that later came to an abrupt end following the confrontation with the Mayor, K.M. Sachin Dev, MLA, and others at the State capital.

The ‡nding, which implied that Mr. Yadhu could have spoken on the phone while driving, bolsters the police allegation of negligent driving in a manner that endangered the safety of passengers and other motorists.

Criminal antecedents

“Though it is irrelevant to the case (involving Mr. Yadhu’s altercation with the Mayor), the Cantonment station house o’cer will submit a report on his criminal antecedents and driving habits. It is for the

KSRTC to take a decision,” a senior o’cer said.

While stressing the need for background checks while hiring employees to the public utility, the o’cial pointed out that a candidate’s involvement in a crime should not make him/her ineligible for employment.

“However, KSRTC and private bus managements should examine driving antecedents at least to prevent any threat to public safety by way of reckless driving. The managements can also issue warnings against repeating criminal o ences while in service,” the source said.

Meanwhile, the police will record the statements of the ‡ve persons, including the Mayor and the MLA who are accused of causing obstruction in a public place and unlawful assembly in connection with the spat with the driver.