Rohtak school bus collision: Police launch investigation

The police have launched an investigation into a road accident involving two private school buses near Lakhan Majra village on Monday morning, which left 10 people, including seven students, injured.

“The police are verifying the documents of both school buses to determine whether they possess valid fitness certificates, as per regulations. School transport vehicles must have a valid fitness certificate and other necessary documents before they are allowed to carry students,” sources said.

Sources said as per the Surakshit School Vahan Policy, the driver must hold a commercial driving licence valid for driving a school bus. Drivers must undergo medical examinations to ensure they are physically and mentally fit to drive.

The mishap took place when a bus of Lakhan Majra school carrying students was on its way to school. It collided with another bus belonging to a private school from Jind. One of the buses overturned in the collision, while the other was damaged badly. The Jind-based school bus was returning from a wedding function at the time of the accident.

Taking a serious note of the incident, Rohtak Superintendent of Police (SP) Surendra Singh Bhoria had issued inquiry orders into the matter.

“The Lakhan Majra school bus possesses a fitness certificate, and the documents of the other bus are under verification,” Bhoria told ‘The Tribune’.

He said the district police, in coordination with the district administration, had been conducting regular campaigns to inspect school buses and assess their condition. “In addition, the medical fitness of bus drivers and their criminal records are also verified, and drivers are made aware of traffic rules,” he added.

The SP said over 250 school buses have been checked in the district so far. “Twelve buses have been fined for violating prescribed rules and traffic regulations, and one bus has been impounded,” Bhoria added.

Inspector Samarjeet Singh, SHO of Lakhan Majra Police Station, said a case has been registered against the driver of a Jind school bus following a complaint by another bus driver regarding the road mishap.

“An official from the local transport authorities also contacted us to verify the documents of both buses,” he added.