MUMBAI, May 30: Annasaheb Vithoba Wagh ,the driver of the BEST bus which was involved in an accident with a minister's car on Wednesday has been chargesheeted by the authorities. As a ``usual punishment'', he has been sent to the Dindoshi depot for a refresher course in mental stability. His driving licence has also been impounded by the authorities.

He has been disallowed from attending duty for three days until ``he attains normalcy''. Here he is expected to cleanse his soul with the help of spiritual discourses conducted by the BEST in co-ordination with the Prajapita Brahmakumari Ishwariya Vidyalaya.

Wagh's bus (MMK 6291) had met with an accident when the car (MH 02 B 6382) belonging to Shiv Sena minister Suresh Navle jumped a red signal at Flora Fountain on Wednesday morning. Navle suffered multiple hip-joint injuries in the accident.

Sources at the BEST said that even though they have been unable to ascertain the truth behind the mishap, a departmental inquiry has been initiated against Wagh. They added that it was the first time that a BEST bus had met with an accident with a minister's vehicle.

They further stated that in case of any accident, the BEST sends the concerned person on leave and conducts an inquiry. If found guilty, the punishment ranges from temporary suspension of service to dismissal.

Sources at the Azad Maidan police station said as an immediate action, Wagh was arrested and a complaint registered against him. He was later released on bail. BEST officials at the Wadala Depot where Wagh has been posted said Wagh did not have any accident cases against him in the recent past. ``We will have to wait and see what the inquiry reveals in the Navle accident case,'' said an official.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.