Kerala shame: 8-month pregnant woman forced to stand in bus, falls and dies

None of the passengers offered Nashida a seat on the packed bus.

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Did public apathy and inconsiderateness towards fellow beings have cost a Kerala woman her life? In an alarming incident that reeks of apathy, a pregnant woman from Kottayam district died on Wednesday after falling from a moving bus last Friday.

34-year-old Nashida, a native of Erattupetta, was returning home from the Akshaya centre on Friday. Eight months into her pregnancy, Nashida boarded a private bus named 'Vazhayil' that would take her home.

All the seats on the bus were occupied, forcing Nashida to travel standing in the front of the bus by the door. Minutes later, as the bus took a turn, Nashida lost her balance and fell off the bus. At the time of the accident, the main door of the bus was left open, said police.

Nashida who suffered a major head injury was then rushed to RIMS hospital. Following an emergency surgery, the doctors managed to save the baby boy. However, Nashida's condition remained critical and she succumbed to her injuries on Wednesday.

Nashida is survived by her husband and two daughters.

The Erattupetta police, who earlier booked the bus driver Yadhu under section 279 for rash driving, later charged him under section 304 (a) (causing death by negligence).

The police, who seized the private bus on the day of the accident, however, are yet to arrest the driver.

According to the amended Motor Vehicles Act, at least one seat ought to be reserved for pregnant women on every KSRTC and private bus. The Act was amended last year to include the provision, following a directive from the State Human Rights Commission.

Asked about booking the driver for flouting the norms, the police said that they were unaware of such a provision and that it does not currently come into the purview of the investigation.