Drunk Driver of Radiant International School Arrested in Surat

Surat | Gujarat —- In a shocking incident that has raised serious questions over student safety and school accountability, police arrested the intoxicated driver of Radiant International School’s bus in Piplod after he drove dangerously with 12 children onboard on Saturday morning.

According to Surat police, the driver, identified as Gyaneshwar Ramesh Patil (32), a resident of Santosh Park Society in Dindoli, was heavily drunk while operating the school bus of the Radiant International School. Terrified children screamed for him to stop, but Patil continued to drive recklessly until the bus halted near Thakor Park Society in Udhna zone around 10:30 am.

“As soon as the bus stopped, the conductor and students quickly got off. One of the children borrowed a phone from a watchman to call their parents. It was sheer panic,” recounted a parent who rushed to the spot.

Parents arrived within minutes and found Patil so intoxicated that “he could not even speak properly.” Police were called, and Udhna police booked him under the Gujarat Prohibition Act.

School Response

Radiant International School immediately removed the driver and attempted to reassure parents. Ulhas Pawar, Administrator of Radiant International School, issued a statement:

“The safety of the students has always been our top priority. A police complaint has been registered against the driver, and he has been removed immediately. Our transportation team has taken swift action.”

Shocking Past of the Driver

Investigations revealed that Patil was a former army serviceman who had been court-martialed for arrogant and undisciplined behavior. Despite this record, he was employed to drive children.

Parents are now questioning how a person with such a background — and clear signs of alcoholism — was entrusted with student safety. “We send our children to school trusting the system, but if schools employ such drivers, who will guarantee our children return home safely?” asked a furious father of a Class 6 student.

Bigger Issue: Schools Employing Unfit Drivers

This incident has reignited the debate on the lack of strict background checks and monitoring of school bus drivers in Surat and across Gujarat. While regulations mandate that drivers undergo verification and medical fitness tests, lapses appear common.

“This is not just one case. Across cities, we see underpaid, untrained, and sometimes intoxicated men driving school buses. Schools cannot wash their hands of responsibility. They are hiring these drivers,” said a local child safety activist.

While Radiant International School insists it acted swiftly, parents are demanding stricter vetting processes, routine breathalyzer tests, and third-party monitoring of school transport systems.