Anantapur: The APSRTC driver is being blamed for the bus accident which claimed 15 lives, most of them students and injured 54, though there were lapses on part of the construction company working on the ghat section between Penukonda and Madakasira.

Transport minister Sidda Raghava Rao announced the suspension of three R&B engineers of Penukonda division and Madakasira RTC depot manager.

A far more major mishap was averted as the diesel tank of the bus did not explode though it fell 60 feet into a gorge. There are allegations that blasting had made the adjacent road to shrink.

YSR Congress president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has demanded stringent action against the contractor over lapses, during his visit to the spot.

Dwarakamayi Construction Company of Anantapur bagged the tender of Rs 10 crore for the road construction between Madakasira and Penukonda.

Official sources say the work is being done by another company, owned by some close relatives of civil supplies minister Paritala Sunitha.

Penukonda police registered a case against RTC driver Gangappa. DSP K. Subba Rao said a case was registered under Sections 337, 358 and 304 based on the complaint by the victims and their families.

“According to preliminary report, we registered a case against the driver and any additions would be made after the investigation,” the Penukonda DSP said.

Meanwhile, the CPI district unit staged a protest at R&B superintendent engineer’s office on Thursday demanding criminal cases against the contractor. District unit secretary K. Jagadish accused ministers of ignoring the issue by offering Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia.

“They are simply blaming the driver. This is not correct and the government should not be protecting contractors,” Mr Jagadish said. He threatened to continue the stir till a criminal case is being registered against the contractor and the company is being blacklisted.