Mumbai: The death toll in the Kurla BEST bus mishap rose to nine on Thursday, after Me-htab Sheikh (29) succumbed to his injuries at Sion hospital after 10 days on a ventilator.
In a related development, the RTO has issued a show-cause notice for revoking the driving licence of Sanjay More, the BEST driver arrested for the mishap on Dec 9.
“Sheikh had subdural hematoma. He was operated on and kept on a ventilator…He showed no signs of improvement. It could be that certain other injuries in the brain, which were not reflected in CT or MRI, contributed to his death, but the exact cause of death cannot be ascertained as of now,” said the on-duty AMO at Sion Hospital.
Other three victims, who were critical at Habib Hospital, and one other at Jaslok Hospital, have been shifted to the general ward and are recovering. On Monday, 54-year-old Fazlu Rehman, who was on the bed opposite Sheikh, died at Sion Hospital.
Sheikh, a Bihar native who was living in Govandi for the last four years, was completing an IT course. “He used to also teach schoolchildren,” said his cousin Inzamam, who escaped with minor injuries in the BEST bus mishap. Sheikh’s autopsy was conducted at the hospital; his body will be sent to his village in Bihar. “His mother is not in good health and could not leave Bihar,” said Inzamam.
Families of the nine deceased will receive Rs 2 lakh compensation from BEST, in addition to the Rs 5 lakh announced for the bus mishap victims by CM Devendra Fadnavis. BEST chief medical officer, Dr Anil Kumar Singal, who also heads the committee on compensation for BEST victims, said, “For the first time ever, a BEST team visited the homes of all the deceased victims and met the families.” The team will ensure compensation disbursement in a week’s time, instead of the usual 2-4 weeks, BEST officials said.
Joint transport commissioner Ravi Gaikwad said the RTO has issued a show-cause notice for revoking More’s licence. “He will not be able to drive any vehicle as the inquiry will be conducted,” he added. Deputy regional transport officer Pallavi Kothawade said further action, which may be suspending or revoking the licence, will be taken under the Motor Vehicles Act based on More’s reply to the show-cause notice.
