Preliminary Investigation Findings
The management of Himachal Pradesh Road Transport (HRTC) after a preliminary inquiry in allegations of “torture by a HRTC Regional Manager as a purported reason for suicide of HRTC driver a few days ago as baseless. .”
A video had gone viral on social media a few days ago in which a HRTC driver had accused the HRTC management for not paying him salary for several months and victimizing him for the past some time.
HRTC Managing Director Rohan Chand Thakur said, “The Corporation has taken serious note of the viral video and asked Divisional Manager (DM) Mandi to conduct an inquiry in the matter and after the investigation the allegations have been found baseless.”
AS per findings of DM Mandi Vinod Kumar:
Sanjay Kumar received his salary regularly as per the rules.
- The driver’s family informed the Dharampur bus station on January 12 that Sanjay had consumed poison and committed suicide.
- Statements from the family during his hospitalization revealed that he had been consuming alcohol for the past four days and was reportedly distressed.
Further investigation will involve questioning the entire staff of the Dharampur depot and the driver’s family to gather more insights. The final report is expected to be submitted within seven days.
Telling about the background of the case:
- Sanjay Kumar was previously suspended for a bus accident while posted in Rampur but was reinstated at Dharampur depot on June 3, 2024.
- A minor penalty was imposed on him following the accident.
- During a departmental inquiry, Sanjay was on leave from December 7, 2023, to January 3, 2024. He returned to duty on January 4 but left for home on January 7 without departmental approval after submitting a leave application.
DSP Padhar Devraj confirmed that no formal case has been registered by the victim’s family. Police have recorded their statements during Sanjay Kumar’s hospitalization.
