Court directs Uttar Pradesh authorities to intensify inspections, verify compliance with bus safety standards, and file affidavits on permits, fire safety, and criminal action in past accidents.
The Allahabad High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the tragic bus fire on the Yamuna Expressway that claimed nine lives, calling it a matter of grave public safety concern and directing the Uttar Pradesh government to strengthen enforcement of safety norms for sleeper buses.
Justice Saurabh Shyam Shamshery registered the matter as “In Re: Nine Dead as Bus Erupts in Flames on Yamuna E-way” after news reports in several newspapers highlighted the fatal accident. The Court also referred to earlier incidents involving bus fires in Uttar Pradesh and observed that recurring accidents pointed to serious gaps in regulation and inspection of AC sleeper buses.
During the hearing, the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and Additional Chief Secretary (Transport) appeared through video conferencing and informed the Court about the accident and the criminal proceedings initiated. However, the Court said there was still significant scope for improvement in the checking of such buses within the State.
The Court noted research placed before it on Automotive Industry Standards, particularly AIS-052, AIS-119, and AIS-135, which govern bus body design, sleeper coach specifications, and fire detection and suppression systems. The Court observed that sleeper coaches must comply with technical requirements such as prescribed vehicle height, emergency exits, gangway dimensions, automated fire suppression systems, and driver drowsiness alert systems.
The Court expressed concern that it had not been informed whether the bus involved in the accident had complied with these mandatory standards. It directed that if the bus had failed to meet these requirements, action should be initiated not only against the driver and conductor but also against the licensee. The Court also observed that a ban on buses operated by such a licensee could be considered.
The Chief Secretary assured the Court that the matter would be examined personally and that a joint enforcement drive would be undertaken, including night-time inspections since these buses usually operate during night hours. He also assured that authorities would check whether buses stop only at designated places.
To ensure accountability, the Court directed the concerned department to file consolidated or separate affidavits addressing several issues, including the number of sleeper bus permits issued in the last three years, whether safety standards were checked before granting permits, the existence of boundary checking points and surprise inspections, and whether passenger statements were recorded during inspections. The affidavits must also state whether fire extinguishers were present, whether passengers were informed about emergency exits, whether drivers and conductors were aware of safety precautions, and what criminal action had been taken in similar accidents over the last three years.
The Court further directed that the affidavit should not be limited to these points alone and must also include proposed action and other collective measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on 13 October 2026, when the Court expects additional suggestions from the Amicus Curiae and the State authorities.
Bottom Line :
Suo motu public interest matter concerning fatal bus fire on Yamuna Expressway - High Court directed State authorities to intensify checking of sleeper buses, examine compliance with AIS-052, AIS-119 and AIS-135 safety standards, and file affidavits on permits, inspections, safety compliance, surprise checks, and criminal action taken in similar accidents.
Statutory provision(s):
Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Automotive Industry Standard AIS-052, Automotive Industry Standard AIS-119, Automotive Industry Standard AIS-135
