Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 4: In a shocking revelation, the driver of the minibus that fell into deep gorge at Pir Ki Gali last week, killing 11 students including 9 girls was suffering from epilepsy. It has raised questions about the issuance of driving licences in the State.
The Traffic Police has sought answers from the Transport Department as how did the RTO issue driving license to a person who is suffering from epilepsy. They have also sought action against the medical practitioner who has signed the format for issuing the driving licence of the driver.
The mishap took place last week when a mini bus carrying students of Kashish Computer Institute Surankote on excursion fell into the deep gorge at Pir Ki Gali in Shopian district of South Kashmir killing 11 students while driver and two students are battling for life in SMHS hospital Srinagar.
The Head of the Surgical Unit -IV Dr Syed Mushtaq Ahmad Shah of SMHS hospital has written a letter to Traffic Police in which he has revealed that driver of the mini bus Pathan Jameel, 21, is suffering from epilepsy. He has said that Pathan is a known epilepsy patient and was taking drug Phenytoin for this.
“The epilepsy is one of the major contraindications for driving. How come the Kashish Computer Authorities have employed the driver who is suffering from epilepsy and under no circumstances can drive a vehicle, swim or climb the tree”, read the letter.
“How come the driving licence has been issued to the epileptic person? Action needs to be warranted against the medical practitioner who has signed the medical certificate for driving licence”, read the letter.
Dr Shah has recommended that action under rules and regulations should be taken against Kashish Computer Institute Surankote and it should be banned forever. “The driver who was careless driving led to 11 deaths and is suffering from epilepsy should be dealt sternly under law”, he recommended.
He has recommended that medical certificate for driving licence should be signed by a doctor having minimum MD/MS degree. He said that most of the accidents happen when the driver is drunk, drug addict, suffering from a medical disease like epilepsy and driving at a very high speed.
“In doubtful cases the applicant should also undergo psychiatric evaluation to rule out seizure disorder which is a contraindication for driving. These seizure disorders (epilepsy) are better than diagnosed by a psychiatrist”, he suggested.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
