The Kurnool District police recently made a significant arrest in connection with the tragic private bus fire accident near Chinnatekur that claimed 19 lives in late October 2025. The owner of the private travel company, Vemuri Vinod Kumar (Accused No. 2), was formally apprehended, following the earlier arrest of the bus driver. The fatal incident occurred in the early hours when the Hyderabad-Bengaluru bound sleeper coach collided with a motorcycle, causing a massive fire. A detailed investigation by the police and the Transport Department revealed multiple severe safety and regulatory violations by the travel operator. Officials found the bus had been illegally converted from a seater to a sleeper coach, which dangerously obstructed the emergency exit and compromised fire safety. Furthermore, the bus was reportedly operating without proper permits and lacked crucial fire suppression systems mandated by national safety standards. Though the owner was granted bail by a local court shortly after the arrest, he faces serious charges, including culpable homicide, under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The arrests highlight the police’s determination to hold not just the driver but also the operators accountable for safety breaches that contributed to the devastating loss of life.
