‘Criminal negligence’: NHRC flags major lapses, directs nationwide crackdown on unsafe sleeper buses

New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed all Chief Secretaries of states to remove sleeper buses that violate safety norms, following a complaint regarding a fatal accident in Rajasthan. The order was issued by a bench headed by NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo.

The complaint highlighted a recurring safety flaw in public transport buses where the driver’s cabin is completely separated from the passenger compartment, preventing timely detection of fires and communication during emergencies. The complainant cited recent bus fires causing preventable deaths, alleging a violation of the fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Following NHRC directions, the Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT), Pune, investigated the tragic bus fire on Jaisalmer-Jodhpur National Highway No. 11, in which 20 people were killed, and 16 others sustained burn injuries. The incident occurred near Thaiyat village when an air-conditioned sleeper bus travelling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur caught fire.

The report revealed that the sleeper coach was not manufactured in accordance with the provisions of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR) and AIS:119, including issues with driver partition doors, sliders on sleeper berths, insufficient emergency exits, and the absence of a mandatory Fire Detection & Suppression System (FDSS).

The NHRC noted that the accident was completely preventable and pointed to “serious systemic lapses” by bus manufacturers and transport authorities responsible for inspection, approval, and issuance of fitness certificates. The Commission observed that violations of CMVR and AIS standards constitute criminal negligence.

The NHRC issued the following directions:

To the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH):

• Issue advisories to all States/UTs to ensure strict compliance with AIS:052 and AIS:119 during registration, renewal, and inspection of buses.
• Develop a nationwide mechanism to prevent any bus body builder or operator from circumventing mandatory safety requirements.

To Chief Secretaries of all States:

• Implement all CIRT recommendations, including recall and rectification of all sleeper coaches, installation of FDSS, removal of prohibited structural elements, and strict verification of bus body builder accreditation.
• Fix accountability on bus manufacturers and officials who approved buses violating CMVR and AIS standards.
• Ensure compensation and necessary support for victims and families affected by accidents caused due to preventable negligence.