50 kg silver articles seized from KSRTC bus: Driver, conductor suspended 

Bengaluru: A Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus driver and conductor were suspended from service for their alleged role in the illegal transportation of silver items worth over Rs 15 lakh.

Driver-cum-conductor N. Narayanappa and Krishnamurthy, driver were on Friday suspended pending an inquiry into their role. 

On Thursday, KSRTC’s inspection team were conducting a routine check at Hoskote, when they found four bags, without the mandatory KSRTC tag in the luggage space of the Airavata Club Class bus operating between Bengaluru and Vijayawada.

On inquiry, the conductor initially said that the luggage had been loaded without a passenger. However, when they continued questioning both of them, the duo admitted that the four bags contained 699 silver lamps, weighing over 40 kg valuing upto Rs 15 lakh.

KSRTC officials brought the incident to the notice of the Commercial Taxes Department. Transportation of taxable articles without valid documents such as an e-way bill and tax invoice is an offense, and liable to tax and penalty as provided under 129 of the KGST/CGST Acts 2017.  

“No person has come forward to claim the ownership of the goods even after three hours. Therefore, it was found appropriate to seize the goods…and take (it) into the custody of the department,” said an official.