In a bus packed with passengers a langoor grabs the steering wheel as the driver changes gears – this video went viral in Karnataka. On Saturday, the bus driver from the state’s Devangere district has been removed from duty.

In the bizarre video, Prakash, the driver of the bus, can be seen cajoling a langoor sitting on the steering wheel of the bus for over a minute. The driver is also seen stroking the langoor while driving. At one point, the langoor is seen clutching the steering wheel while the driver changes gears, even as passengers in the packed bus watch on. The langoor's joyride ended around two minutes later after it alighted at a bus stop. 

According to the video, the langoor sat by the steering wheel for over a minute.

The incident took place on October 1 in a KSRTC bus plying from Davangere to Bharamasagara.

KSRTC's Divisional Controller in Davangere told TNM: "It appears a passenger on the bus has shot the video and it has come to our notice only today. We have removed the driver from duty because the safety of passengers and the quality of their journey is our first priority. We are looking into the incident because we are getting a lot of calls about this".

The decision to remove him from the roster of drivers comes even though there were no complaints filed against the driver.

“We have removed the driver from duty and have asked the divisional security inspector to conduct an inquiry. He won't be assigned any other duty till the probe is completed. He could even be suspended,” said a KSRTC official speaking to Times of India   Prakash is reportedly an animal lover but it appears his love for animals could see him suspended from his job.