TGSRTC conductor Pravalika’s death triggers protests across Khammam region; attempt-to-murder case altered to murder

The death of 24-year-old Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) conductor G. Pravalika, who succumbed to her injuries after allegedly being pushed off a moving bus by a woman passenger, triggered widespread protests by Corporation’s employees across the Khammam region on Wednesday.

Drivers and conductors boycotted duties, demanding stringent punishment for the accused and justice for Ms. Pravalika’s bereaved mother, whose hopes of seeing her daughter build a better future were shattered by the tragedy.

Ms. Pravalika, a conductor attached to the Manuguru depot, was allegedly pushed off the moving bus by a woman passenger near Mittagudem in Aswapuram mandal of Bhadradri Kothagudem district on October 25.

The incident occurred after the passenger allegedly picked up an argument with Ms. Pravalika following the issuance of a ticket to her son.

The passenger reportedly objected when Ms. Pravalika, citing shortage of change, asked her to collect the balance amount while getting off the bus.

The conductor’s legs came under the rear wheels of the bus, leaving her critically injured.

She succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday (November 3) night after battling for life for nearly 10 days.

Police had initially registered a case of attempt to murder and arrested the accused, identified as Mounika of Mittagudem. She was produced before a local court and remanded in judicial custody.

Following Ms. Pravalika’s death, the police altered the case to murder under Section 103 (1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

TGSRTC employees paid homage to Ms. Pravalika at the Khammam bus depot and staged a demonstration wearing black badges under the aegis of the TGSRTC Khammam Region JAC.

Recalling her dedication to duty, employees said Ms. Pravalika had joined the Corporation on compassionate grounds following her father’s death over 10 months ago.

They demanded stern punishment for the accused as per law and foolproof safety measures for drivers and conductors.

Bus services remained disrupted across seven depots in the erstwhile undivided Khammam district until Wednesday afternoon. Bus services resumed later in the day.