Questions Arise After 6 Students Die in Crash: Why Was School Open on Eid?

A tragic incident occurred today in Mahendragarh, Haryana, where a school bus accident claimed the lives of six students and left over 20 injured. This event has sparked a crucial discussion regarding the safety standards of school buses and has raised questions about accountability.

The accident occurred when the school bus, owned by GL Public School, crashed into a tree and overturned. Investigations revealed that the driver was intoxicated at the time of the accident. Adding to the negligence, the bus’s fitness certificate had expired back in 2018, highlighting a grave oversight in vehicle maintenance.

In response to this tragedy, a state road transport official has been suspended for failing to ensure that vehicles operate with valid documents. State Education Minister Seema Trikha has initiated an inquiry into why the school remained open on Eid, a public holiday. She emphasized that the school should have been closed, and a show-cause notice has been issued to the school administration.

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Minister Trikha stressed the importance of adherence to transportation regulations, announcing that private schools must submit affidavits ensuring compliance with safety protocols. Regarding accountability, she stated that both the schools and bus owners would be held responsible, along with the intoxicated driver.

In cases where drivers are found to be under the influence, schools will face legal consequences, including FIRs against the driver, the school principal, and the bus owner. This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for stringent safety measures in school transportation systems.