Bhopal: A BCLL red bus driver was brutally assaulted on Monday evening following a dispute over passenger seating and bus timings. The attack was allegedly carried out by the driver and conductor of a private bus, escalating a minor argument into a violent confrontation. The victim, Mohammad Azhar Khan, suffered serious injuries after being attacked on the face with a sharp-edged weapon.
= Knife attack after verbal abuse
The incident took place around 3:30 p.m. near the Nayara Petrol Pump in Samardha Misrod. The red bus, operating on the TR-4B route, travels daily between Gandhi Nagar and Mandideep. On Monday, as it was returning to Bhopal, the vehicle halted at Samardha, where Nadeem, the driver of a blue private bus, was already waiting. Just two days earlier, both drivers had engaged in a heated argument over the same issue.
According to police, Nadeem began abusing Azhar Khan the moment he stepped out of the bus. A scuffle ensued, during which Nadeem picked up a nearby knife and stabbed Azhar on his right cheek, causing deep injuries.
Seeing him collapse and bleed, conductor Mahendra and a youth named Jed rushed to intervene, preventing further harm. Before fleeing, Nadeem allegedly threatened to kill Azhar if he ever questioned him about passengers or bus timings again. The injured driver was immediately taken to AIIMS Bhopal for treatment.
= Misrod Police register FIR
Based on a complaint filed by conductor Mahendra Kumar, Misrod Police have registered a case against Nadeem under sections related to assault, abuse, attack with a sharp weapon, and criminal intimidation. Police teams are currently searching for the accused.
