The sessions court has denied bail to Santosh Sawant, the driver involved in a tragic incident with a Bhandup electric bus in December 2025. The court pointed out that the accident could have been avoided if Sawant had declined to drive the bus due to his insufficient training. The judge criticized Sawant’s lack of initiative in addressing the training issue with his employer, stating that his negligence contributed to the severity of the incident.
In the ruling issued on April 10, Additional Sessions Judge Y P Manathkar remarked that the event was not simply an accident, emphasizing that Sawant had knowingly operated the bus without proper knowledge or training. The judge noted that Sawant was aware that he lacked the necessary skills for driving the electric vehicle and that his casual approach ultimately led to the bus running over multiple pedestrians, resulting in four fatalities and injuries to twelve others.
Sawant has been in custody for over three months following the incident, which occurred on December 29, 2025, outside the Bhandup railway station. His attorney, Devendra Patil, highlighted that the chargesheet against Sawant indicates he was not listed among those who had completed the required training to operate electric buses.
Additional Public Prosecutor Iqbal Solkar stressed the severity of the incident, citing the loss of life and the number of injuries involved. The court acknowledged that the defense’s documentation confirmed Sawant’s lack of training. It raised concerns about the decision to allow an untrained driver to operate a 55-passenger vehicle on public roads.
The court further noted that the failure to provide adequate training might be attributed to either Sawant or the BEST administration, but the consequences were catastrophic. The judge remarked on the tendency for parties involved in such tragedies to shift blame to avoid accountability.
This case is not isolated, as the courts have previously expressed concern over the training protocols for BEST drivers. In a related incident in March, the Bombay High Court granted bail to Sanjay More, who faced charges after a similar accident in December 2024 that resulted in nine deaths. The High Court emphasized the necessity for BEST to provide at least seven days of training for drivers of electric buses.
Sadaf Modak is a prominent Legal Correspondent based in Mumbai, recognized for her expertise in the judicial system. Reporting for The Indian Express, she provides in-depth coverage of courtroom proceedings and social justice issues, showcasing her commitment to legal accuracy and human rights advocacy.
