FIR Against Haryana School After 6 Students Die As Bus Carrying Them Overturns; PM Reacts

At least six students were killed and 20 injured on Thursday after a private school bus overturned in Mahendragarh’s Kanina, in Haryana. The school was functioning despite a nationwide holiday on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.

According to news agency PTI, the bus was ferrying students of GRL School from their houses when it overturned while overtaking another vehicle on the road.

“Several schoolchildren, who were injured in the accident, were immediately rushed to a hospital,” a police official was quoted as saying.

Superintendent of Police, Mahendragarh, Arsh Verma informed that the driver of the bus has been arrested.

Responding on the reports suggesting that the driver was drunk, Verma said, “We have apprehended him and his medical examination is being conducted after which we will be able to properly establish whether he was actually drunk or not”.

Some reports are also suggesting that the driver indulged in rash driving, the SP added.

Raising concerns over the incomplete papers of school buses, Haryana Transport Minister Aseem Goel said, “A high-level committee will probe the incident. FIR to be registered against the school. In March, a fine of Rs 15000 was imposed on this school bus due to incomplete papers. The negligence of the school is very clear in this case. I have ordered for fitness test of all school vehicles to be conducted in the state.”

Meanwhile, Haryana’s Education Minister Seema Trikha said, “I have just arrived at Matrika Hospital and have seen only three children; they are injured, blood is all over their clothes. According to doctors, they are manageable; some are sustaining serious injuries, and some are facing less…”

“I want to tell the whole state that today school should not be opened. A show cause notice has been issued and apart from that, we have taken self-affidavits from the private schools…Second, they have to provide an affidavit of the transportation vehicle saying that their vehicles functioned according to the transport rules and norms. Third, whoever is driving their vehicles, if they are found drunk, then they (Schools) will hold the responsibility….” she added.

PM Modi Expresses Condolences

Expressing his condolences, PM Modi took to X and wrote, “The bus accident in Mahendragarh, Haryana is extremely painful. My condolences are with all the families who have lost their children in this accident. Along with this, I wish for the speedy recovery of all the injured children. Under the supervision of the state government, the local administration is engaged in providing all possible help to the victims and their families.”

“The accident of a school bus in Mahendragarh, Haryana is very sad. My condolences are with the bereaved families of the deceased children. May God give them strength to bear this loss. The local administration is providing help to the injured children. I wish them a speedy recovery,” Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted.

BJP leader Dr Abhe Singh Yadav said, “I express my deepest sympathy for the incident that has taken place. This is a serious matter…District administration department is looking at it…May god rest students’ souls in peace.”