A bus driver allegedly ran over 17 people who had just got off his vehicle following an argument over fares,killing seven,on Wednesday morning in Rajasthans Karauli. All the dead were from Agra and were on their way to the Kaila Devi temple in Karauli. Raju Sharma,who abandoned the bus some kilometres away and fled,was arrested from Alwar district in the evening. Kotwali circle officer Pona Ram Doondi said they believe Sharma was drunk at the time of the incident. According to the passengers,Sharma offered them a free ride to the temple claiming this was his duty. However,he stopped twice for fuel and asked the passengers to pay,which they did, Doondi said. But an argument ensued when Sharma allegedly demanded more money after dropping off the passengers near the temple around 5 am. Sharma drove off,stopped for fuel outside Karauli,drove back towards the temple and allegedly ploughed his vehicle into the passengers standing in two groups. While seven,including a girl,died on the spot,eight are seriously injured. Sharma is being held on a charge of murder.
