Allahabad High Court probes fatal Noida sleeper bus fire

The Allahabad High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of a fatal accident on the Yamuna Expressway in the Greater Noida area, where a sleeper bus caught fire, resulting in the deaths of nine passengers. A bench led by Justice Saurabh Shyam Shamshery has sought detailed information from the Uttar Pradesh government regarding sleeper bus permits, safety inspections, and compliance with established safety standards.

During the proceedings, the court noted that AC sleeper buses appeared to be operating without adequate safeguards, such as fire extinguishers, and observed that drivers and conductors might lack sufficient training for emergencies. The court directed the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and Additional Chief Secretary of Transport to provide data on permits issued over the last two years and details of criminal actions taken in similar past accidents.

In the immediate aftermath of the fire, which occurred while the bus was traveling from Delhi to Mahoba, families faced significant difficulties identifying victims due to the extent of the burns. Police have identified six of the nine deceased so far. The High Court has ordered intensified night-time inspections of sleeper buses and stated that if safety standards were violated, legal action should extend beyond drivers to include bus operators and license holders, potentially leading to the cancellation of licenses.