Tragedy Strikes Haryana: School Bus Accident Claims 6 Lives

admin July 16, 2023

Tragedy Strikes Haryana: School Bus Accident Claims 6 Lives, Driver Under Influence Arrested

A horrific school bus accident in Haryana has left 6 young lives shattered and 22 children injured. The incident occurred near Unhani village on the Kanina-Dadri road on Thursday morning.

The bus, belonging to GL Public School in Kanina, was carrying 37 students when the driver, reportedly intoxicated, lost control and overturned the vehicle.

Swift Action by Bystanders and Authorities

Passersby sprang into action, rushing the injured children to a nearby hospital. Tragically, four were declared dead on arrival, and two succumbed to their injuries later. The deceased have been identified as Vansh (14) and Riki (13) from Dhanunda village, and Anshu (17), Yakshu (14), Yuvraj (15), and Satyam (17) from Jharli village. All the victims were students between grades 7 and 12.

Police swiftly arrested the bus driver, Dharmendra, along with the school principal, Dipti, and secretary, Hoshiyar Singh. An FIR (First Information Report) has been registered against them for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and criminal conspiracy, with additional charges under the Motor Vehicle Act for the bus lacking a valid fitness certificate. A medical examination confirmed the driver’s presence of alcohol in his system.

School’s Role Under Scrutiny

The school, owned by local politician Rajender Singh Lodha, has come under fire for operating on a public holiday dedicated to Eid. This raises serious questions about school management’s accountability and adherence to regulations.

Government Response and Investigation

Haryana’s State Transport Minister, Aseem Goyal, has ordered a thorough probe into the accident. Additionally, Pardeep Kumar, Assistant Secretary of the Road Transport Authorities (RTA) in Narnaul, has been suspended for failing to ensure vehicles operate with valid documents.

The Deputy Commissioner, Monika Gupta, has recommended cancelling the affiliation of GL Public School, which has been functioning for over 20 years.

Outpouring of Condolences

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu expressed their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured children. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda also offered their condolences.

This tragic incident highlights the critical need for stricter regulations and enforcement measures to ensure school bus safety. Regular checks on driver sobriety, proper vehicle maintenance, and adherence to designated holidays are crucial steps to prevent such devastating accidents.

#RoadSafety #SchoolChildrenSafety #Accountability #PrayersForHaryana