Authority: High Court of Karnataka at Bengaluru

Order Date: 7 July 2026

Case Overview

  • Petition filed by Prabhulingaih (aged ~38), driver of a KSRTC bus, seeking reversal of conviction and sentence dated 20‑01‑2020 under Sections 279, 338 and 304A IPC.
  • Accident occurred on 01‑08‑2014 at ~2:15 pm on Bangalore‑Kanakapura State Highway (near Annapoorneshwari Bar, Udayapalya, Uttarahalli Hobli, Bangalore South). KSRTC bus No. KA‑42‑F‑287 was driven rashly on the right side and collided with two‑wheelers No. KA‑05‑JE‑4726 and KA‑02‑HZ‑6109 coming from opposite direction.
  • Motorcyclist Madesh (rider of KA‑05‑JE‑4726) sustained grievous injuries, was taken to BGS Global Hospital and died on 02‑08‑2014 at 3:45 am.
  • Trial Court convicted the driver for the three IPC offences and sentenced him to two years imprisonment.
  • Appellate Court upheld conviction, relying on sketch Ex.P.11, eye‑witness testimony, and IMV report Ex.P.7, concluding negligence of the bus driver caused the accident.
  • Revision petition argued that Courts erred in relying on P.W.1 (bus conductor) and injured eyewitness, citing discrepancies and urging benefit of doubt.
  • State’s High Court Government Pleader countered that multiple prosecution witnesses (P.W.1 to P.W.4) clearly identified the driver and described the reckless overtaking that caused the collision.
  • The Court noted the accident occurred over a decade ago, was not intentional, and referenced the Supreme Court judgment in Mahadevanna D.M. v. State of Karnataka & Another (SLP (Crl.) No.4563/2022 dated 18‑05‑2026), where a BMTC driver was ordered to pay Rs 5,00,000 compensation.
  • Petitioner's counsel suggested compensation of Rs 4,00,000 to the deceased’s family, arguing the two‑year imprisonment was excessive given the statutory minimum of six months for accidental cases.

Final Outcome

  • The revision petition is allowed in part.
  • Original imprisonment sentence is set aside; the petitioner is directed to pay total compensation of Rs 4,00,000.
  • Rs 3,75,000 payable equally to the parents of the deceased (or the surviving parent if only one is alive).
  • Rs 25,000 to vest with the State.
  • The petitioner is granted one month from the order date to deposit the compensation before the Trial Court.
  • The payment of compensation shall not be treated as a disqualification for future employment, following the Apex Court’s observation in Mahadevanna D.M.

Topics: Compensation, Criminal Conviction, Transport Accident