Kochi: A rivalry between two private buses in Kochi escalated into dangerous competitive driving and a physical confrontation between their crews, with a pedestrian narrowly escaping being hit and run over by a speeding bus. The incident has led to another clash between the crews of both buses near the High Court junction.

Ernakulam Central Police have registered a case against the drivers of two private buses named Akshaya Aleena, operating on the Aluva-Fort Kochi route, and Shalimar, operating on the Eloor-Fort Kochi route, following incidents reported over two consecutive days.

CCTV footage from Akshaya Aleena captured the incidents, including the near-miss involving a pedestrian on Wednesday and a physical confrontation between the bus crews near the High Court on Thursday.

The first incident occurred on Wednesday at around 4 pm.
According to the CCTV footage, Shalimar approached Akshaya Aleena from the rear left side at high speed, with its horn blaring. A pedestrian walking along the edge of the road narrowly escaped being hit as the bus moved past.

Shalimar then allegedly swerved across the path of Akshaya Aleena, forcing both buses to stop in the middle of the road.

A heated argument followed, with crew members getting down from the buses and confronting each other. A crew member of the Akshaya Aleena is also seen pounding his fist against Shalimar’s windshield.

The rivalry allegedly turned physical again the following morning, Thursday, near the Kerala High Court.

At around 8 am, Akshaya Aleena stopped at a designated passenger stop along the pedestrian-railed sidewalk in the High Court area. A fight broke out between members of the two bus crews.

Following the incident, the Ernakulam Central Police registered a suo motu case on Thursday under Section 281 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), pertaining to rash driving or riding on a public way.
"We are investigating the issue and will take further action," said police sources.