Jammu, Aug 10: Police have arrested the owner and driver of a matador after 33 passengers, mostly teenagers and children, were injured in an accident near Super Specialty Hospital in Jammu on Sunday night.
The matador, bearing registration number JK02BE-4479, was seized by police following the accident. The 16-seater vehicle was allegedly carrying 38 passengers at the time of the crash, more than double its permitted capacity.
Police said the accident occurred due to rash driving, leaving 33 passengers injured. All the injured were treated at Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu.
The arrests have brought renewed focus on the circumstances under which an overcrowded passenger vehicle was allowed to operate with 38 occupants despite having a seating capacity of only 16.
The incident has also raised concerns over the alleged prioritization of commercial interests over passenger safety, particularly when a large number of the passengers were teenagers and children.
The matador remains in police custody while further investigation into the accident and the alleged violations is underway. [KNT]
