Pramesh S Jain
Close on the heels of Transport Minister Byrathi suresh sitting among passengers,hearing their complaints directly and ordering immediate action over the absence of a doctor at a Namma Clinic and delays in issuing student bus passes,the Karnataka Lokayukta has registered a suo motu case against a BMTC official over the failure to provide timely medical assistance to an elderly passenger at Shivajinagar bus stand.
The case has been registered against Chandrakala, Assistant Traffic Manager,Shivajinagar BMTC Bus Stand (TTMC),following a newspaper report highlighting how an elderly passenger who collapsed inside a bus allegedly remained without medical assistance for more than 30 minutes.
The action was initiated by Justice K.N.Phaneendra, Upalokayukta,Karnataka,based on a report published in local newspaper on September 2 under the headline, “Citizen faints at bus stand,BMTC fails to provide facility.”
According to the report, the elderly passenger had boarded a BMTC bus at Ramamurthy Nagar and travelled to Shivajinagar.
On reaching the bus stand,he reportedly suffered a seizure and became unresponsive. Though the bus had reached its destination,the driver and conductor allegedly struggled for more than 30 minutes to get him out of the vehicle.
The incident occurred despite the Commercial Street Police Station being around 100 metres away and Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital being located nearby.
The report stated that no Hoysala vehicle or ambulance was immediately available at the spot.Journalists present at the bus stand subsequently called the emergency number 112 seeking assistance.
Police initially suggested that the passenger be taken to Bowring Hospital in the BMTC bus, but the driver reportedly expressed his inability to do so.
The passenger was eventually brought out of the bus and handed over to the police.The bus subsequently resumed its journey.
The newspaper report also quoted a BMTC employee as stating that,barring the Shantinagar bus stand,medical facilities were reportedly unavailable at BMTC bus stands in Bengaluru.
Taking serious note of the report,the Upalokayukta observed that passengers are entitled to basic facilities at bus stands, including access to medical assistance during emergencies.
The order referred to Article 41 of the Constitution, which places an obligation on the State to improve public health,and the Supreme Court’s wider interpretation of Article 21,which includes the right to live with dignity and access to healthcare.
The Upalokayukta observed that if the facts reported in the newspaper were found to be true,they could indicate inaction,dereliction or failure on the part of the concerned authorities.
Exercising powers under Section 7(2) read with Section 9(3)(a) of the Karnataka Lokayukta Act,1984,Justice Phaneendra ordered the registration of suo motu proceedings.
Apart from naming the Assistant Traffic Manager as the respondent,the Upalokayukta directed the Managing Director of BMTC to examine the shortcomings highlighted in the report and take appropriate corrective measures.
The BMTC Managing Director has specifically been directed to examine the need for providing medical facilities at all BMTC bus stands in Bengaluru and submit a report on the action taken.
A copy of the order has also been sent to the Bengaluru Urban District In-charge Minister for information and appropriate action.
The matter has been posted for October 12,2026.The Lokayukta’s action comes at a time when the Transport Department and BMTC are facing increased scrutiny over passenger services and the availability of basic facilities at bus stations.
