Mumbai BEST bus accident: Police probe “conspiracy” angle; driver sent to custody till Dec 21
The police suspect the accident might be part of a larger conspiracy, alleging that the bus could have been used as a "weapon."
Chilling CCTV footage has emerged from a deadly bus accident in Mumbai, showing the exact moment panic broke out as a BEST (BrihanMumbai Electric Supply and Transport) bus went out of control and rammed into a group of pedestrians near Bhandup railway station.
The video, recorded by a security camera outside a nearby textile shop, shows people standing along the roadside when the incident happens. In a few seconds, people can be seen running in different directions, desperately trying to escape as the bus moves straight into the crowd. Some fall to the ground and are run over by the bus.
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CCTV footage of bhandup bus accident
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footage shows several passengers standing on the roadside when a bus suddenly approaches at high speed
People start running to save their lives #Bhandup#BESTbus@MumbaiPolice @mybmc pic.x.com/1VQxUdqSdN
— Indrajeet chaubey (@indrajeet8080) December 30, 2025
The incident took place at around 10.05 pm on Monday in Bhandup West, a busy area outside the suburban railway station where commuters often wait for buses. Four people were killed and nine others were injured in the accident, officials said. The injured are reported to be in stable condition and are being treated at nearby hospitals.
Police said the bus ran over between 10 and 12 pedestrians before coming to a stop.
The bus driver, Santosh Ramesh Sawant, 52, has been arrested. The conductor of the bus has been identified as Bhagwan Bhau Ghare, 47.
The victims have been identified as Varsha Sawant (25), Mansi Meghshyam Gurav (49), Pranita Sandip Rasam (35), and Prashant Shinde (53).
Emergency services, including police, fire brigade and rescue teams, rushed to the spot soon after the incident. A large police deployment was later seen in the area to manage crowds and regulate traffic, as local residents gathered at the scene.
Eyewitnesses told police that the bus appeared to be moving fast just before it veered off course, though officials said these claims are still being verified as part of the investigation.
The accident has revived memories of a fatal BEST bus crash in Kurla last year, which had claimed nine lives. Transport sector experts say the latest incident once again highlights long-standing concerns in Mumbai’s crowded transport zones, including poorly designed bus stops, lack of pedestrian barriers and the pressure on drivers operating large vehicles in congested areas.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh for the families of those who died. In a post on X, he expressed grief over the loss of lives and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the loss of lives.
Saddened by the loss of lives due to a mishap in Bhandup, Mumbai. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May those injured recover at the earliest: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 30, 2025
Authorities said a detailed inquiry is underway to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the crash. Further details are awaited.
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