3 suspended for driving KKRTC bus using mobile phone torch

Mangalore Today News Network

Kalaburagi, Jul 7, 2026: Taking a serious note of the incident where a Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC) bus was driven using a mobile torch for light due to a headlight malfunction, the Divisional Controller of Kalaburagi Division-1 suspended the bus driver and two technical staff members from service.

Chincholi depot technical staff member Shivanand, technical supervisor Basavaraj and bus driver Akash have been suspended. The incident reportedly occurred on the last bus service to Chincholi, a town located about 90 kilometres away from Kalaburagi.

The bus’s headlight was not emitting light properly on the night of July 4. Consequently, the bus reached Chincholi using only the light from the driver’s mobile torch. The video showed the driver operating the vehicle on a pitch-dark road without headlights while the conductor used a faint mobile phone torch in an attempt to help navigate. The video has gone viral on the social media.