The Rapid Action Battalion said that the recklessness of the bus driver and over-crowding of passengers led to the deadly road crash in Jhalakathi that killed 17 people.
The Rab arrested the bus driver — Mohan Khan, 40, from Ashulia, Khandaker Al Moin, director of the legal and media wing of Rab, told a press briefing at the Rab Media Centre yesterday.
Moin said that Mohon used to drive heavy vehicles despite not having a license for driving such vehicles.
According to Rab, the Barishal-bound bus of Bashar Smriti Paribahan lost control while carrying extra passengers. The bus had a capacity of 45 passengers. On the way from Bhandaria to Barishal, more passengers were picked up from various stops and the vehicle was driven at reckless speeds.
At 9:50am, when the vehicle reached Chhatrakanda area of Jhalkathi, the driver lost control.
At least 17 people were killed and 23 others injured when the bus plunged into a roadside waterbody in the district’s Sadar upazila on Saturday morning.
Jhalakathi Sadar Police Station Sub-inspector Shusankar Sarkar filed a case on July 23.
Jhalakathi district administration has formed a five-member committee to investigate the incident.