By Islam El-Sakka
A 24-year-old bus conductor died on Wednesday after being allegedly pushed from a moving bus during a fare dispute in Telangana state, India.
Fare dispute leads to fatal incident
Gundla Pravalika, a conductor with the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation, was rushed to hospital on 25 October with grievous injuries after falling under the rear wheels of a moving bus near Mittagudem village. Police say a female passenger, identified as Mounika, pushed Pravalika out of the vehicle following a heated argument over a ticket fare for the passenger's minor son.
Altercation over change
The passenger had handed the conductor a 100-rupee note for a 10-rupee ticket but Pravalika did not have smaller bills and asked her to collect the change later. The dispute escalated, leading to the alleged push. The passenger claimed Pravalika was standing on the footboard and fell accidentally.
Victim succumbs after 10 days
Pravalika battled for her life for 10 days before succumbing to her injuries at a hospital in Hyderabad. Local police have arrested the suspect.
Government announces compensation
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed grief and announced a government job for the victim's mother, a house for the family, and compensation of 1,000,000 rupees (approximately £7,859).
Transport workers strike
Employees of the state road transportation department held a strike on Wednesday in protest over Pravalika's death.
