'Fun reels with umbrella goes horribly wrong'; Karnataka bus driver, conductor suspended

BENGALURU: The video of a bus driver managing the vehicle while handling an umbrella in one hand went viral across the internet on Saturday. Driver Hanumanthappa and conductor Anitha of North West Karnataka RTC's Dharwad depot have been suspended from service for the misconduct. The incident took place on Friday.

The bus was plying through the Bettageri-Dharwad route when Hanumanthappa took an umbrella in one hand and steered the vehicle only to do a reel on Instagram. The video was filmed by conductor Anitha. Little did the two imagine that their video was going the create ripples even within the government of Karnataka. The video went viral on the internet and received admonishment from many quarters.

In the video, Hanumanthappa was holding an umbrella in one hand and turning the steering wheel with the other hand. The RTC took action against the two after conducting a detailed investigation into the incident.

In the meantime, some reports rumoured about the leaking inside the bus during the rain, which forced the driver to lift an umbrella. However, this was found to be fake news in the detailed investigation. It was Anitha’s umbrella which the driver used to film the reels’ video. According to the driver and conductor, it was a fun video filmed to harm no one. It was filmed only because there were no passengers on the bus during that time.

Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy also came forward with a reaction to the incident. He criticized the BJP for spreading fake videos to taint the government.

‘No complaint has been filed against the driver or the conductor in this regard. Officials have checked the vehicle and confirmed that there is no leak. Action has been taken against the officers for their irresponsible behaviour”, the minister said.

A video of a #NWKRTC bus driver driving with an umbrella had gone viral with the claim that the roof was leaking. It turns out the driver and conductor were recording a reel. There is not a drop of water on the umbrella and it was foolish of people to believe the roof was… pic.twitter.com/skLcSVCkPp

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