Chennai: A video of an elderly bus passenger being assaulted and pushed off an MTC bus, near Vandalur, by its driver and conductor for occupying a seat meant for differently abled people went viral on social media, sparking public outrage. Witnesses said conductor Nathar Pichai used derogatory language, and when the dispute intensified, he pulled the elderly man by his hair and pushed him off the bus. He then stepped off and assaulted the man physically. The bus driver, Azhagan, halted the bus and also joined in the attack.According to reports, the MTC bus 70C (Kilambakkam to Koyambedu) reached Vandalur bus stop from 8am. A senior citizen, who was carrying a valid bus pass, boarded the bus and took a seat meant for the differently abled. The conductor, however, objected to him sitting there and spoke harshly, asking him to move to another seat. The elderly man tried to explain his right to the seat, leading to a heated argument, and then the attack.Passengers intervened and stopped the assault. The incident has drawn widespread outrage, especially as neither the driver nor the conductor was wearing name badges — a violation of MTC rules. Other passengers in the bus criticized the staff for their inhumane behaviour over a seat dispute.MTC managing director T Prabhushankar has ordered an inquiry and said strict action would be taken against the crew. Driver Azhagan and the conductor Nathar Pichai have been placed under suspension. He further emphasized that it is the responsibility of transport staff to ensure the safety and dignity of passengers.A departmental inquiry is on.