The police had arrested Mane, 39, on charges of murder and attempt to murder, among others. However, following the hospital’s report, it produced Mane before a court Saturday seeking permission to send him to a mental hospital for observation. He will be kept there till February 1, Assistant Commissioner of Police Rajendrasinh Mohite said.

Dr Vilas Bhailume, head of the Yerawada Regional Mental Hospital, said Mane will be kept in a separate room and his behaviour observed.

Mane had taken control of a Pune-Satara bus parked in the parking lot and proceeded to drive it at high speed on the wrong side, travelling about 15 km in 45 minutes, killing eight and injuring about 32.