BBMP garbage truck kills two bike-borne techies in Bengaluru; driver held

BENGALURU: A 27-year-old techie, whose wedding was finalised Sunday morning, and her 25-year-old colleague were killed in the night when a rashly driven BBMP garbage truck hit their bike on Seshadri Road near KR Circle.
The deceased are L Prashant, 25, a resident of Subbaiahnapalya near Banaswadi, and Bayyana Gari Shilpa, 27, who lived in a paying guest accommodation in Whitefield and is from Hindupur in Andhra Pradesh.Both were working with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
Around 9pm, the truck rear-ended Prashant's Harley-Davidson X440 a little away from Maharani College underpass. Both vehicles were moving in KR Circle direction. While Prashant's bike had come from Freedom Park side, the truck came from Chalukya Circle and took a left turn just before ramming the bike.
The impact was so severe that the truck dragged their bodies for some distance before coming to a halt. Police and passersby immediately shifted the two to ST Martha's Hospital where doctors declared them dead.
The truck driver, Rajappa, fled the scene leaving behind his vehicle. Ulsoorgate police arrested him Monday afternoon.

Prashant is survived by parents and a younger sister while Shilpa is survived by parents and two elder sisters.
According to family sources, Shilpa's parents had finalised her marriage talks and conveyed the same to her Sunday morning. "Sunday being a holiday,Prashant left home by 9am. He picked up Shilpa from her PG and went out. We suspect they had visited Majestic and were riding back to Shilpa's place when the accident took place," an investigating officer said.
Expert team visits spot
Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO), an expert team from Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) visited the spot and examined the vehicles as well as the crime scene. Deputy commissioner of police (east-traffic) Kuldeep Kumar Jain said the front left portion of the truck and the rear part of the bike came into contact during the accident.
"The dent and other damages on the vehicles involved in the accident help in determining the cause and fix responsibility. The marks on the road, including that of bodies being dragged, too helps in understanding the accident better. These minute details play a vital role during investigation and at the time of filing chargesheet," Jain pointed out.
Addressing the media, Lokeshappa, Prashant's father, recalled that his son was born at St Martha's Hospital, a few hundred metres away from the accident spot.
"Prashant's body was lying in the same hospital. Police called me saying that he sustained injuries on leg. But when I came here, I saw him dead. Police say the driver is not available and I want to see him. If we don't get justice, I, wife and daughter will end lives," he said.
According to him, Prashant and Shilpa had gone out for lunch.
BBMP chief commissioner Tushar Giri Nath said they are waiting for police investigation, as they are not sure of the cause of the accident. "The vehicle involved is new and has a valid fitness certificate and insurance. BBMP is waiting for the police report before deciding on compensation," Nath said.
He, however, added that if any compensation is warranted, it will be provided not by BBMP but by the contractors owning the vehicle.