15 booked for attacking bus manager, conductor

Ludhiana: Fifteen people were Saturday booked for attacking the manager of a bus company and the bus conductor, inflicting serious injuries on them reportedly over a fare dispute.

The incident took place on April 16.

Among the accused are Gaggi, Goli and Vicky of Malla village, along with 10 to 12 unidentified individuals.

In his complaint to police, the bus company manager, Hardeep Singh, said their driver was taking a mini bus to Bilaspur from Jagraon bus stand when the incident took place. He said he, too, was present in the bus. When the bus reached Malla village around 7pm and the condutor started checking the tickets as passengers were getting off the bus, Gaggi, Goli, Vicky and others attacked him from behind. He said he was standing near the rear window. They overpowered him, threw him to the ground, and started hitting him with sticks.

Hardeep said he screamed for help. Following this, the passengers and villagers passing by came to his rescue, arranged for a vehicle and took him to hospital. He said all the accused were from Malla village, and they also took away his bracelet, chain and bag containing Rs 35,000. They also attacked his conductor, Simarjit Singh, who was bringing his meal. He cited past enmity of the accused with their conductors over fare as the reason for the attack.