Nagpur: A state transport (ST) bus journey turned chaotic on Thursday evening after a drunk passenger assaulted the driver and disrupted operations, before being restrained by fellow commuters and handed over to the police.

The incident occurred shortly after driver Akish Marskolhe left the Ganeshpeth ST Stand for Warud. When the bus reached Gittikhadan Square, 24-year-old Sagar Laxman Ghorpade boarded and shockingly sat on the bonnet next to the driver. He allegedly began abusing someone over a phone call and then questioned Marskolhe over not stopping inside the ST stand premises.

According to officials, Ghorpade suddenly grabbed the driver’s collar while still standing on the bonnet, endangering everyone on board. The conductor intervened and helped push the unruly passenger out of the vehicle. However, Ghorpade then picked up a brick and attacked the driver, causing injuries.

Alert passengers quickly subdued him and informed the police. Gittikhadan police arrested the accused and booked him for assaulting a government employee, creating public disorder, and damaging government property.

Authorities said the incident highlights growing concerns over passenger safety on public transport and assured that strict action will follow.