Delhi Police have arrested 12 people in connection with alleged vandalism of Delhi Transport Corporation buses in Kanjhawala during the ongoing strike by temporary DTC drivers and conductors, with police saying three of those arrested were involved in planning the attacks and allegedly provoking others.
The arrests followed several police control room calls received by Kanjhawala police station over the past two days. The calls reported that DTC buses had been targeted at different locations during the strike, with windows broken and vehicles damaged, according to the police account cited in the report.
Police initially identified nine people and began legal proceedings under provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. A case was subsequently registered at Kanjhawala police station on the complaint of a depot manager. The FIR invokes Section 324(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to mischief causing damage, Section 125, concerning acts that endanger human life, and Section 3 of the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Act.
Police later identified three additional people whom they accused of planning the vandalism and inciting others. The three arrested in this connection were identified as Vicky, 27, Bharat, 28, and Amit, 38. Police said they were continuing to investigate the role of other people who may have been involved in the incidents.
The arrests came as temporary DTC staff continued their strike over wage and employment-related demands. The workers are seeking a daily wage of Rs 2,000, medical facilities, annual and festival bonuses, payment for government holidays, insurance and other allowances. They have also raised concerns about deductions from their salaries when buses are involved in road accidents or are damaged.
According to the report, the drivers and conductors currently receive Rs 862 per day, from which Rs 60 is deducted towards provident fund contributions. The workers say the remaining amount is paid to them as their daily earnings.
The strike has affected passengers who depend on DTC services for daily travel across Delhi. The report said the protest continued despite assurances from the Delhi government, while damage to public-transport vehicles led to police action in different locations. The Kanjhawala case remains under investigation, with police examining whether more people were involved in the alleged attacks.
