Bengaluru, 06 September (H.S.).The Karnataka Lokayukta has registered a suo motu case against a Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation official after an elderly passenger allegedly remained without medical assistance for more than 30 minutes at the Shivajinagar bus terminus.

The proceedings were initiated by Karnataka Upalokayukta Justice K.N. Phaneendra following a newspaper report on the incident. Chandrakala, Assistant Traffic Manager at the Shivajinagar BMTC Traffic and Transit Management Centre, has been named in the case.

According to the report, the passenger boarded a BMTC bus at Ramamurthy Nagar and travelled to Shivajinagar. After the vehicle reached the terminus, he reportedly suffered a seizure and became unresponsive inside the bus.

The driver and conductor allegedly spent over half an hour trying to move him from the vehicle, but timely medical help was not arranged. The delay occurred even though Commercial Street Police Station is about 100 metres from the bus stand and Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital is also located nearby.

Journalists who were present at the terminus eventually called the emergency helpline 112 and requested assistance. Police personnel initially suggested that the elderly passenger be taken to Bowring Hospital in the same BMTC bus. The driver, however, reportedly said he was unable to transport him.

The episode has raised concerns about emergency preparedness at one of Bengaluru’s busiest transport hubs and the responsibility of officials to respond swiftly when passengers face a medical crisis. The Lokayukta proceedings are expected to examine the conduct of the officials concerned and the circumstances that caused the prolonged delay.

The intervention comes soon after Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh visited the bus stand, sat among commuters and listened to their complaints. During the visit, passengers raised several issues, including the absence of a doctor at a Namma Clinic and delays in distributing student bus passes.

The minister subsequently directed officials to take immediate corrective steps. The latest case has now brought renewed attention to whether adequate medical facilities, trained personnel and clear emergency-response procedures are available at major BMTC terminals.

The inquiry will also assess whether existing protocols were followed, whether staff had access to emergency equipment and ambulances, and whether administrative lapses contributed to the wait experienced by the stricken commuter at the busy terminal.

Further action will depend on the findings of the Lokayukta inquiry into the alleged failure to secure prompt assistance for the passenger.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman