HC warns action over non-compliance with school transport safety orders The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Tuesday expressed sharp displeasure over lapses in implementing school bus safety norms, questioning administrative inaction and warning of possible action against the deputy director of education. A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode noted that despite clear directives from earlier hearings, essential measures such as issuing notices to schools and installing designated bus stop signage had not been carried out. The court observed that the issue was not being taken seriously, emphasizing that compliance was expected before the reopening of schools. Senior counsel Firdos Mirza assisted the court as amicus curiae, while Deepak Thakare represented the state government and Abhay Sambare appeared for the Nagpur Municipal Corporation. The court had previously directed the director to issue notices to all schools regarding adherence to school transport norms. However, during the latest hearing, it emerged that no such notices had been sent. The bench termed this a serious lapse and directed the education secretary to initiate action against the official and submit a report at the next hearing. "There is no compliance made of this order," the bench remarked, questioning why no application had been moved if there were difficulties in implementation. The court directed the department of education secretary and the principal secretary (school education) to examine the matter and take appropriate action against erring officials. The case stemmed from a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) initiated after the death of a schoolchild who was run over by a bus.#bombay_high_court #nagpur_bench #rto #deputy_director_of_education #school_bus_stop
