Kerala HC seeks report from govt on college students’ tour bus hearth

By Express News Service

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Monday requested the state authorities to file a report on the incident by which a vacationer bus- ‘Komban’- caught hearth from the firecrackers lit above the bus earlier than embarking on a pupil tour at Perumon Engineering College, Kollam on June 26.

The incident got here to gentle after a video captured by a pupil went viral on social media, adopted by information studies. The studies stated earlier than beginning the journey, the bus operators had allegedly lit the firecrackers above the bus.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Anil Okay Narendran and Justice PG Ajith Kumar additionally seen the video clippings of the incident in open courtroom.

The Bench noticed that “the state of affairs, as disclosed from the news report that appeared in print and visual media make it explicitly clear that even after the orders of this Court, contract carriages are being used in public places flouting the safety requirements, posing a potential threat to the safety of passengers and other road users.”

The Special Government Pleader sought time to get directions on the incident. The courtroom additionally directed him to get directions as as to if such automobiles are being utilized in faculties as instructional establishment buses, on a contract foundation, and in addition by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, for tourism promotion.

The courtroom additionally directed the Transport Commissioner and State police chief via their officers to make sure that color pictures and video clippings of the outside physique of the contract carriage or different transport automobile, the motive force cabin, and the passenger cabin are enclosed together with the accident report or inspection report. The individual, who drives or causes or permits to be pushed in any public place reminiscent of a transport automobile, is proceeded towards in accordance with the regulation, held the courtroom.

The courtroom additionally noticed that regardless of the Motor Vehicles Department appearing towards contract carriages utilizing unauthorised lights and sound programs that distracted different motorists and will trigger accidents, such violations are persevering with.