Greater Noida, Sep 24: Passengers travelling on the double-decker bus that caught fire on the Yamuna Expressway in Uttar Pradesh’s Greater Noida had reportedly noticed a burning smell minutes before the blaze erupted; however, the driver and conductor allegedly continued smoking cigarettes inside the vehicle, according to the first information report (FIR).

Nine people, including a woman, were charred to death and several were seriously injured after a massive fire broke out in the bus, officials said.

The FIR stated that passengers had earlier objected to the driver and conductor smoking inside the bus. However, the two allegedly laughed off their objections and threatened the passengers, asking them to remain quiet and not raise the issue further.

According to the FIR, a strong burning odour subsequently began spreading through the moving bus.

The passengers noticed the smell and informed the driver about it, but he and the conductor allegedly dismissed their concerns, saying that such a smell was common inside the bus and that they often experienced it.

Despite repeated requests from the passengers to check the source of the smell, the driver allegedly did not carry out any inspection of the vehicle. Instead, he and the conductor continued smoking cigarettes while the bus was travelling on the expressway, the FIR said.

A few minutes later, flames were reportedly seen emerging from the front portion of the bus, causing panic among the passengers travelling inside the vehicle.

As the fire began spreading and passengers started screaming for help, the driver allegedly refused to stop the bus.

According to the FIR, the driver told the passengers, “I don’t care if you die, I won’t stop the bus.”

The incident involved a Bihar-registered sleeper tourist bus that was travelling from Delhi to Mahoba in Uttar Pradesh. The vehicle was carrying more than 35 people when the fire broke out on the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida.

The blaze rapidly engulfed the bus, while thick and dense smoke filled the vehicle, making it extremely difficult for the passengers to find a way out.

Upon receiving the information, senior police officials, accompanied by the local police force, a rescue tender, and a fire tender stationed at the Jewar Toll Plaza, responded, according to the officials. Four additional fire tenders and a fire service unit immediately rushed to the scene and completely extinguished the fire.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire originated from a spark or blast in the bus’s air conditioning system, which ignited the engine’s lubricating oil and caused the fire to spread rapidly.

The driver and conductor were taken into custody, and a case was registered under relevant sections, officials said.

“A case has been registered under relevant sections regarding the incident, and both the driver and the conductor have been taken into custody. Further necessary legal proceedings are underway,” officials said.

Guwahati, Sep 24: Three people were burnt to death, and two others suffered critical injuries after the vehicle they were travelling in caught fire following a collision with a streetlight pole in Assam’s Nagaon district, police said on Thursday.

The accident occurred at Kenapatty near Puranigudam locality when the vehicle bearing registration number AR 01 W 5107 was travelling towards Guwahati from Arunachal Pradesh.

According to preliminary information, the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a streetlight pole installed in the middle of the road.

The impact was followed by a fire that quickly engulfed the vehicle. Three occupants were trapped inside and could not escape the burning vehicle. They died at the spot after sustaining severe burn injuries.

Two others, identified as Vikas Kumar and Sonu Kumar, were seriously injured in the accident. They were initially rushed for medical treatment before being shifted to Guwahati, where their condition was reported to be critical.

Officials said the occupants were reportedly from Bihar and were travelling towards Guwahati when the accident took place.

Preliminary information suggested that the three deceased persons had boarded the vehicle midway through the journey.

Officials were working to establish their identities and ascertain the exact circumstances in which they had joined the journey.

Police said the vehicle was owned by Vikas Kumar, while Sonu Kumar was reportedly driving at the time of the accident.

The crash triggered panic in the area, with local residents and emergency personnel rushing to the spot after the vehicle caught fire.

Police and other authorities have begun an investigation to determine the precise sequence of events leading to the accident. Investigators are also examining whether speeding, loss of control, road conditions or any other factor contributed to the crash.

The bodies of the deceased were recovered from the vehicle, and further legal procedures are being carried out. Officials said more details, including the identities of the three deceased persons and the exact cause of the fire, would be known as the investigation progresses.

New Delhi, Sep 24: The Narcotics and STF teams of Delhi Police have arrested a shooter linked to the Gogi gang following an exchange of fire in North Delhi Jaroda Majra area, officials said on Thursday.

The accused, identified as Mohit, is reportedly a close associate and shooter of gangster Deepak Boxer, according to police.

The arrest came after the teams received information about the presence of an armed shooter in the area who was allegedly planning to carry out a criminal attack.

According to the preliminary information, Mohit had reached the Jaroda Majra area on a motorcycle to pick up a friend and was allegedly preparing to execute a crime in Tajpur village.

Meanwhile, the Narcotics andSTF teams received a tip-off that a shooter had entered the area with plans to carry out an attack.

Acting swiftly on the intelligence input, the police teams laid a trap near Jaroda Majra Metro Station and began monitoring the area.

When the police attempted to intercept the suspect, he allegedly opened fire at the police personnel. The police team retaliated in self-defence, leading to an exchange of gunfire.

During the firing, a bullet allegedly fired by Mohit hit a Head Constable of the Narcotics team in the chest. However, the police official was wearing a bulletproof jacket at the time, which protected him from serious injury and helped save his life.

Following the exchange of fire, the police team managed to overpower the accused and take him into custody. An illegal pistol was recovered from his possession along with the motorcycle he was allegedly using to travel to Tajpur village in connection with the planned crime.

The recovery of the weapon and motorcycle is being examined as part of the ongoing investigation.

Police are also verifying the circumstances under which the accused entered the area and the alleged purpose behind his planned visit to Tajpur village.

The Narcotics and STF teams are currently questioning Mohit to gather further information about the alleged criminal plan.