Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Punjab State and Chandigarh Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of serious safety violations involving a school bus in Chandigarh.
Commission member and Padma Shri awardee Jatinder Singh Shunty termed the incident a grave threat to children's safety after noticing an overcrowded school bus operating with its door open and without a conductor.
The Commission has directed the Chandigarh School Education Department and the Traffic Police to submit detailed reports at least one week before the next hearing, scheduled for September 8, 2026.
According to the Commission's records, the incident occurred on July 23, 2026, when Shunty was on his way to inspect the New Chandigarh Police Station. He spotted school bus CH-01-TA-5163 carrying more children than its approved capacity. The bus was allegedly being driven at high speed in a zigzag manner, endangering both the students onboard and other road users.
Shunty immediately stopped the bus and questioned driver Amarinder Singh, who admitted that the conductor was absent as he was on leave. The driver also stated that the bus door remained open because it was defective and could not be properly closed.
The Commission observed that the incident amounted to a clear violation of the Safe Vehicle Policy governing school transport. It noted that school buses must comply with prescribed safety norms, including carrying only the permitted number of students, ensuring the presence of a conductor, maintaining functional safety equipment, and operating with properly secured doors. The Commission said the alleged negligence put children's lives at risk and amounted to a violation of their human rights.
