Ludhiana, 14 February 2025: The Punjab State Human Rights Commission has directed the Ludhiana commissioner of police and the regional transport office (RTO) secretary to take action against unauthorised vehicles ferrying schoolchildren.
The directive follows the death of a six-year-old girl, crushed by a school van on the premises of BCM Senior Secondary School, Sector 32, Chandigarh Road. Both officials must submit their reports a week before the next hearing on March 11.
The commission, citing information received, mentioned that several school buses lack necessary documentation and are unfit for the roads. Some, it added, are not even registered with schools.
Referring to the girl’s death, the panel stated that with an FIR already lodged, a fair investigation is expected, ensuring the case reaches its logical conclusion in accordance with the law.
The orders stemmed from a complaint filed by RTI activist Jasbir Singh of Guru Nanak Nagar, Bholapur. Singh, who approached the commission in December 2024, had sought action against schools for neglecting student safety, citing the recent fatality as an example.
In response to repeated mishaps involving school transport, Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal held a meeting with officials on February 4. Schools were directed to provide details of private vehicles used for student transport along with necessary documentation.
The DC mandated all schools to submit a self-declaration confirming compliance with the Safe School Vahan policy, regardless of whether they outsourced transport services.
He stated that student safety remains the top priority and warned that negligence will not be tolerated.
