Ex-bus driver who lost eye seeks BEST job

A former Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) bus driver has approached the Bombay high court seeking a job in the undertaking as he was terminated after losing his left eye. According to the petitioner, Mohammed Shahaban, the BEST should have provided him an alternative instead of terminating his employment, which was in violation of his fundamental rights.

According to Shahaban’s lawyer, Asif Naqvi, the BEST’s actions were in violation of his fundamental rights under Article 21 (protection of life and personal liberty) of the Constitution of India and also against the purpose and principles of

‘Equal Opportunities, Protection or Rights and full Participation Act 1995’.

Mr Naqvi in the petition also sought an alternative job for Shahaban on humanitarian grounds, saying he has an economically weak background and there are six dependents in his house.

It is mentioned in the petition that the petitioner joined the BEST as driver in June 1994 and continued working until he lost an eye.

According to the petition, on October 4, 2014 after finishing his duty, Shahaban parked the bus in Shivaji Nagar Depot, Govandi. He got out of the depot around 3 pm, and when he reached Baiganwadi, some boys were playing and throwing stones on each other and one of the stones hit Shahaban’s left eye. He was then rushed to a nearby hospital but lost vision in the eye.