Karnataka: Woman flings stone at bus for not stopping at bus stop, fined Rs 5,000

New Delhi: In Congress-ruled Karnataka, a stone-hurling woman was identified by cops and made to pay penalty of Rs 5,000 for damaging a public transport bus. Though, after she paid the fine, she was accorded a ‘free ride’ in the bus.

The incident happened in Koppal district of Karnataka on Monday. The woman reportedly flung stones at the bus belonging to Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC) in Koppal district, claiming that it didn’t stop at the designated spot.

The woman identified as Lakshmi waited at the bus stop for hours but the buses didn’t stop. She was going to Huligi to offer prayers at Huligemma temple and wanted a free ride in the bus.

As the buses didn’t stop at her stop, in a fit of rage, she hurled stones at one of the state transport bus. A glass window of the bus was damaged due to this.

Post stone-pelting, the bus driver however offered ride and drove her to Munirbad police station. When questioned by the police, she said that she was getting drenched in rains and no buses were stopping at the bus stops. This infuriated her and she hurled stone. Though, she apologized and agreed to pay a penalty of Rs 5,000/-.

Lakshmi was accompanied by two other women & children.

The driver however contested her claims and said that they were standing on opposite side of the bus route.
“They were supposed to go to Ilkal, while we were heading towards Hosapete. They were standing on the wrong side,” the bus driver said.

For the unversed, the Karnataka government recently unveiled ‘free bus ride for women’ service, benefitting lakhs of women commuters. Under the govt’s Shakti Yojana, all the women residents of state can travel in public transport free of cost, without buying any ticket.