Terming the arrest of ‘Maharaja’ bus owner Rishav Kumar Tripathy, a delegation of the Odisha Private Bus Owners’ Association on Monday met Transport Minister Ramesh Majhi demanding immediate withdrawal of the case against Tripathy.
Meanwhile, Majhi said owner of the ill-fated bus has not been arrested under the MVI Act.
“So, the Home Department can take further step. We will discuss with Home Department officials in this matter and action will be taken accordingly,” said the Minister.
As many as 19 passengers were killed and 20 others injured when the Athmallik-bound bus fell off a bridge near Angul on September 9.
“Would action be taken against Government officials in case of State-run buses meeting with mishaps like Maharaja,” questioned association president Prakash Mishra.
The bus owners, who are wearing black badges from Monday as a mark protest against the arrest of their fellow operator, announced to go on a 24-hour strike on September 29.
The association also threatened to resort to an indefinite strike from October 7 if the Government fails to meet their demand by then.