Angry after a row over the fare, a bus driver on Wednesday allegedly ran over 17 passengers, soon after they alighted from the vehicle, crushing to death seven of them in Karauli district of Rajasthan.
Ten others were injured in the incident, which occurred at College Road on Wednesday morning in Karauli, 160 kms from Jaipur.
All the victims were from Agra, Superintendent of Police Omprakash said.
The passengers, who were on their way to Keladevi temple, had an argument with the driver of the private bus plying between Jaipur and Hindaun, over the fare.
Following the dispute, the passengers allegedly thrashed the driver and pelted stones on the bus near a petrol pump in Karauli and left for the temple on foot, he said.
The bus driver followed the passengers and allegedly ploughed his vehicle into two groups of people, killing seven persons, including a girl.
Two of the deceased were identified as Rahul and Sindhi, both hailing from Agra. All the victims were from Agra and efforts are on to ascertain their identities, he said, adding that the 10 injured included four women.
The driver is absconding. A case has been registered against him under different sections including Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code, he said.
