MUMBAI: A BEST bus conductor recently returned a wallet that belonged to a marketing executive. This comes close on the heels of Mumbai being rated the second most honest city in the world .

The executive, Ramesh Menon, was headed to his residence when he lost his wallet on September 27. “I had boarded a bus near Sukhsagar at Chowpatty and got off at Jaslok Hospital. I was talking on my cellphone and forgot that my wallet had slipped out of my bag . I realized that I was lost only after I reached home,” he said.

Menon grew anxious since his wallet contained ATM cards, company ID, driving licence and cash. “I had given up hope of getting back my wallet,” Menon said.

However, bus conductor Dharmaraj Dhanawade (30) stumbled upon Menon’s wallet and was determined to find its rightful owner. “I was busy dispensing tickets to passengers when I saw a wallet lying under a seat. I picked it up and checked the contents,” said Dhanawade.

Dhanawade traced Menon’s cellphone number from the ID cards and informed him that his wallet had been handed over to officials at the Bandra depot.

“When Dhanawade called me up the next day, he initially did not reveal his name and said he did not want any publicity. He was concerned about the plethora of cards and cash in the wallet. I was touched by his integrity,” said Menon.

Menon went to the depot and submitted his identity proof to claim the wallet. He has written to BEST officials about the incident.

“I feel every citizen should help another person who is in trouble. It will add more meaning to life,” said Dhanawade.

