Dramatic High-Speed Pursuit: Drunk Man Steals TSRTC Bus in Telangana, Triggering 18-km Police Chase on NH 63
A high-voltage drama unfolded on National Highway 63 in Telangana’s Jagtial district after a 35-year-old man, identified as K. Sambhaiah, allegedly stole an unattended Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) bus from the Korutla bus depot. The suspect led police teams on a dangerous 18-kilometre high-speed chase, colliding with multiple two-wheelers and a police patrol vehicle before crashing into a tree near Metpally.
Chronology of the Korutla Bus Hijacking
According to police and transport officials, the vehicle was parked at Platform 8 of the Korutla depot. The driver and conductor had briefly stepped away to prepare to pick up students from Kalluru Model School.
Incident Timeline & Security Profile: Korutla Bus Hijack Origin Point : Platform 8, Korutla Bus Depot, Jagtial District Vehicle Involved : TGSRTC Fleet Bus (TS08 20103) Suspect Profile : K. Sambhaiah (35), former mechanic under influence of alcohol Distance Covered : 18 Kilometers along National Highway 63 (towards Nizamabad) Collisions Reported: 3 Motorbikes, 1 Police Pursuit Vehicle, 1 Roadside Tree Casualties : 3 Minor Injuries | 0 Fatalities Apprehension Point: Gandi Hanuman, Metpally Mandal (Highway Blockade)
Key Highlights of the Pursuit & Arrest
Breach and Departure: Taking advantage of an unlocked cabin while staff were away, Sambhaiah boarded the bus, reversed out of the platform, and sped onto NH 63.
Reckless Driving & Collisions: As seven police patrol cars pursued the vehicle, the suspect drove erratically, hitting three two-wheelers in Korutla, Arapet, and Venkatravpet. He also rammed a pursuing police cruiser and narrowly missed students boarding a private school bus in Metpally town.
Police Blockade & Capture: Officers from Metpally and Ibrahimpatnam police stations staged a heavy vehicle blockade across NH 63 near the Gandi Hanuman temple. Attempting to evade the barricade, Sambhaiah veered off the road and rammed into a tree. He attempted to flee by scaling a wall but was quickly tackled and taken into custody.
"The suspect was heavily intoxicated at the time of his arrest. Three injured motorists were admitted to a hospital in Jagtial for minor injuries, and no fatalities occurred."
— Namchi & Jagtial Police Division Report
Repeat Security Lapse Triggers State-Wide Depot Directives
This marks the second such incident in Telangana within a single month. On July 9, a farm worker named J. Venkanna stole a TGSRTC bus from Jangaon following a domestic dispute, driving 21 km before crashing into a toll plaza divider.
Following these back-to-back breaches, state police and transport authorities have issued strict directives across all bus depots in Telangana, mandating that buses remain locked when unattended and keys be handed directly between shift drivers.
