Karnataka Chitradurga Long-Distance Bus Arson Case

In February 2025, a private long-distance bus traveling through the Chitradurga district of Karnataka, India, was deliberately set ablaze by a male passenger. The assailant, identified as Manjunath, allegedly poured petrol inside the vehicle and ignited it following a domestic dispute and suicidal intent. The fire rapidly engulfed the bus, resulting in seven fatalities and multiple burn injuries among the roughly 30 passengers. Police arrested the suspect at the scene, and forensic teams confirmed the use of an accelerant. The completely gutted vehicle and the scale of casualties shocked the state, prompting an immediate high-level inquiry. The case was classified as a mass murder and arson offense, with the accused charged under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.

The trial is ongoing before the Chitradurga District Court. The defendant has been charged with multiple counts of murder, attempted murder, and arson under the Indian Penal Code and remains in judicial custody pending the presentation of forensic and witness evidence. No final verdict has been delivered.

The key legal disputes include whether the act constitutes premeditated mass murder or a suicidal impulse under severe mental distress, and the extent of criminal culpability versus diminished responsibility. Additional debate surrounds potential negligence by the bus operator in lacking fire safety equipment and emergency exits, and whether existing passenger screening was sufficient.

The arson attack prompted widespread public outrage and fear over intercity bus safety. Transport unions demanded mandatory fire extinguishers, emergency break-glass hammers, and passenger baggage checks. The case also intensified national discourse on mental health intervention and the link between domestic crises and extreme public violence, leading to calls for stricter oversight of flammable substances carried on board.