Bangalore school bus accident: Charred bus won’t help investigation

Road transport officials on Thursday said an investigation into the fitness of the mini-bus that had turned turtle a day ago would be difficult since it had been set ablaze by irate residents near Tindlu Gate on the Sarjapur-Bagalur Road.

“I have gone to the spot and inspected the vehicle. It is completely damaged in the accident and the fire. It would be rather difficult for my senior inspector to investigate the matter,” said Uma Shankar, regional transport officer (Electronics City).

A 13-year-old boy, Abhilash, had died of injuries sustained in the accident, caused by suspected alcohol-fuelled negligent driving. The bus, belonging to St Philomena’s School, was ferrying students back home.

Following the boy’s death, a mob set fire to the bus, gutting it. Fifteen other students were injured in the accident.

Transport officials said they would start the investigation once they get an official request from the police. “The police have to send the driver’s licence and ask us to investigate. Only then we can file our inspection records. But my inspectors have already gone to the spot,” Shankar said.

“Drivers not having the vehicle’s permit, certificate, and those found violating the norms can be jailed. In this case (Wednesday’s accident), if the driver is found guilty of drink driving, his licence could be cancelled for good,” Shankar added.

Transport officials blamed the school for the accident. “School authorities should have monitored the drivers to ensure safety of students. That has not happened. We have conducted various campaigns and called them (the schools) to educate them about how to ensure that all measures are taken to ensure the safety of children,” a source in the department said.

The department claimed that the RTOs have been conducting checks on motor vehicles.

Several school buses were found violating norms. Drivers without licences were charged a spot fine of Rs1,500.

Transport officials said school-bus drivers should have over five years of experience, more than what the Supreme Court had ordered. Additionally, their antecedents should also be verified before employing them.

“An adult, other than the driver, ought to have been on board the school bus to ensure the safety of the children, as directed by the Supreme Court. This was not followed by St Philomena’s,” another senior transport official said.