“Drunk Drivers Are Terrorists”: Hyderabad Police Chief Sajjanar After Kurnool Bus Fire Tragedy

The Kurnool bus fire tragedy, which claimed 20 innocent lives on the Hyderabad–Bengaluru highway, has sparked nationwide grief and raised serious concerns about the safety of night travel in private buses.In a powerful statement, Hyderabad City Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar — also former Telangana RTC Managing Director — condemned the incident, calling it “not an accident, but a preventable massacre.”

Sajjanar revealed that the drunk biker, identified as B. Shiva Shankar, was caught on CCTV refuelling his motorcycle at 2:24 a.m., just 15 minutes before the collision that caused the bus to burst into flames at 2:39 a.m. The biker’s reckless decision to ride under the influence of alcohol led to one of the most horrific road tragedies in recent memory.“Drunk drivers are terrorists who destroy lives in seconds,” Sajjanar wrote on social media. “We will maintain zero tolerance against drunk driving. Every offender will face the full force of the law — no mercy, no excuses, no exceptions.”

Following the tragedy, Hyderabad police are preparing to intensify drunk-driving enforcement, especially during night hours. The Commissioner stressed that the safety of citizens is non-negotiable and warned that strict legal action will be taken against anyone who risks lives through irresponsible driving.

The Kurnool disaster stands as a grim reminder that one person’s recklessness can shatter many families forever — a message Sajjanar urged everyone to take seriously.