Nurpur mishap: HC for speedy probe

Vijay Arora

Shimla, July 9

The High Court on Monday directed the Superintendent of Police, Kangra, to ensure that the investigation into the Nurpur bus mishap case is completed at the earliest. The court further directed him to file his status report regarding the investigation within three weeks.

The court passed this order on a public interest litigation on the issue of Nurpur school bus mishap in which 27 people, including 24 children, were killed in the accident.

The court also directed the Deputy Commissioner, Kangra to ensure that proper counselling through all modes, including psychiatrists and medical officers, by increasing the number of frequency of visits to the the families of each one of the children who, unfortunately, died or suffered injury in the bus mishap. The court further directed him to file compliance affidavit by August 7.

On the previous date of hearing some of the parents were present before the court and lamented that the investigation in the case is, perhaps, misdirected. Despite repeated endeavour, they were not heard or rendered proper assistance by the Superintendent of Police, and the Additional District Magistrate.

They urged the court to handover the investigation of this case to the CBI.

The High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of this accident that took place on April 9 when the school bus carrying them plunged nearly 300 feet into a gorge near village Malkwal, on the Himachal–Punjab border.