In the Kurnool bus fire tragedy that claimed 20 lives, police have registered a case against Shivashankar, the biker who died moments before the bus caught fire, for negligent and reckless driving.

The FIR, lodged by Erriswami, Shivashankar’s friend and pillion rider, stated that both men had consumed alcohol before starting their journey on the motorcycle. While riding under the influence, Shivashankar allegedly lost control and crashed into a road divider, causing the bike to topple onto the highway. Shivashankar died instantly, while Erriswami suffered injuries.

A CCTV clip from a nearby petrol station—captured around 2:23 a.m. on October 24—has also emerged, showing Shivashankar riding erratically just minutes before the accident. In the footage, he can be seen parking his bike near a fuel dispenser, calling out for the pump staff, and then riding away in an unsteady manner.

According to Erriswami’s complaint, after the fall, another vehicle collided with the motorcycle, pushing it toward the center of the highway. Moments later, a private travel bus drove over the fallen bike, triggering a massive explosion and fire that engulfed the vehicle.

The Ulindakonda Police have booked the deceased under Sections 281 (rash driving), 125(A), and 106(1) of the Indian Penal Code, attributing the accident to his careless and dangerous behavior on the road.

Meanwhile, a preliminary investigation by the Andhra Pradesh Police revealed that the bus caught fire after two 12 KV batteries exploded following the collision. Officials also suspect that a shipment of smartphones stored in the bus’s luggage compartment amplified the blaze, making it spread faster.

Authorities continue to examine the cause and sequence of events leading to one of the worst road accidents in Andhra Pradesh in recent years.