Thiruvananthapuram: A heated exchange broke out between Mayor Arya Rajendran, her husband Sachin Dev, who is also the Balussery MLA, and a KSRTC driver on Saturday night, in which they alleged the latter made lewd gestures when their private vehicle overtook the bus.
The driver Yadhu was arrested by the police for reckless driving and misbehaviour. He was later let go on bail. He has also filed a complaint with the police claiming the couple prevented him from completing the trip by blocking his way.
While Sachin Dev said he would file an official complaint against the driver to Transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar on Monday, Arya said she has requested the Smart City authorities to provide her with the entire footage from CCTV cameras covering the area between Pattom and Palayam, where the incident took place.
Speaking to Manorama Online, Arya emphasised that the issue was not merely about not letting the car overtake the bus but also about the driver's misconduct towards women.
"It was my cousin's wedding yesterday. The incident occurred while we were returning home with our family after the ceremony. The KSRTC bus nearly collided with our car. But we ignored it. However, the driver then refused give us way. When we finally overtook him, my sister-in-law and I noticed the driver making obscene gestures. Subsequently, we confronted him in front of the Palayam Saphalyam Complex," Arya recounted.
"The driver's response was appalling. He spoke rudely to me and my brother. Witnesses can attest to his unruly behavior. After noticing further misconduct, I contacted Transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar. The vigilance team and the Cantonment police arrived at the site following his intervention. Although the driver later apologised, I refused to accept it. I will pursue legal action. This is not just about me; it's about standing up against the humiliation women endure," she added.
Meanwhile, Yadhu offered his version on the incident, asserting that it was Mayor and her companions who behaved improperly. According to him, the mayor's vehicle attempted to overtake the bus from the left side on a one-way road between Plamood and PMG. He said he spoke to the group without realising that it included the Thiruvananthapuram mayor and MLA.
"This is a Thrissur-Alappuzha-Thiruvananthapuram bus. I had already allowed two vehicles to overtake the bus. The mayor's car was the third. There was no space to allow the car to overtake on the one-way route between Plamood and PMG. Despite this, the car overtook the bus from the left. The vehicle stopped in front of the bus later. A young man came out of the car, questioning me aggressively. In response to his disrespectful demeanor, I defended myself. The mayor did not speak or identify herself till then. She later asked whether I knew who she was. She claimed that even schoolchildren knew her. She even threatened to get me fired. I'm unsure if I'll have my job tomorrow. Let them check the CCTV footage. They can take action if they find fault on my part," Yadhu said.
