Woman PMPML Bus Conductor Injured in Knife Attack by Intoxicated Passenger in Pune
Pune, 17th April 2026: A woman bus conductor was seriously injured after being allegedly attacked with a knife by an intoxicated passenger inside a city bus on Wednesday night.
The injured conductor has been identified as Surekha Baliram Bhalerao (38), a resident of Mulshi. She is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital for a deep injury to her thigh.
Based on her complaint, the Bund Garden police have registered a case against an unidentified accused and launched a search to trace him. The incident took place around 8 pm near Alankar Chowk.
According to police, Bhalerao works as a conductor with the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML). She was on duty on a bus operating between the municipal corporation area and Viman Nagar on Wednesday evening.
An unidentified passenger boarded the bus from the Juna Bazaar Chowk area and purchased a ticket to Yerawada. After some time, the man, who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, began abusing other passengers. Initially, commuters ignored his behaviour, but he continued creating a disturbance and also obstructed the conductor while she was issuing tickets.
When the bus reached Alankar Chowk around 8 pm, Bhalerao asked the man to get down. This reportedly angered him, and he rushed towards her, verbally abused her, and attempted to disrupt her work.
The conductor then stopped the bus and again asked him to get off. In a fit of rage, the accused allegedly pulled out a knife from his pocket and stabbed her in the thigh, causing heavy bleeding. He fled the spot immediately after the attack.
Fellow staff members rushed the injured conductor to a nearby hospital, where she is currently receiving treatment.
Police said further investigation is underway, and efforts are being made to identify and apprehend the accused.
