Calling drunk drivers “terrorists,” Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar has warned that no mercy will be shown to anyone caught driving under the influence.
His strong statement came after the Kurnool bus fire tragedy, which claimed 20 lives.
“Drunk drivers are terrorists. Period. Their actions are nothing short of acts of terror on our roads,” Sajjanar posted on X. “This was not an accident but a preventable massacre caused by the reckless behavior of an intoxicated biker.”
The biker, B. Shiva Shankar, was reportedly drunk when he lost control of his motorcycle after refueling at 2:24 a.m.
The collision with the bus minutes later triggered a massive fire, killing 19 bus passengers and himself.
“Drunk drivers destroy lives, families, and futures. Such acts will never be tolerated,” the top cop added.
Sajjanar stressed Hyderabad Police’s zero-tolerance policy on drunk driving.
“Anyone caught drunk driving will face the full force of the law. No leniency, no exceptions, no mercy. This is not a mistake - it’s a crime,” he said.
Police investigations revealed that Shiva Shankar and his friend Erri Swamy had been drinking at a dhaba before the crash.
Shiva died on the spot, while Erri survived with minor injuries. The fuel tank explosion caused by the crash set the bus ablaze, leading to the deadly tragedy.