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Allahabad HC Demands Affidavit on Sleeper Bus Safety After Fatal Fire
- •The Allahabad High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of a fatal sleeper bus fire on the Yamuna Expressway, which killed nine passengers.
- •The court directed state officials to file an affidavit by October 13, 2026, detailing sleeper bus permits issued in Uttar Pradesh over the last three years and verification of prescribed safety standards.
- •The affidavit must disclose if bus designs were altered, compromising passenger security, and if buses carried commercial parcels.
- •The court also sought details on border checking points, night inspections, availability of fire extinguishers, emergency-exit awareness, and driver/conductor training.
- •The court noted that AC sleeper buses appear to operate without proper checks and safeguards, and drivers/conductors may lack adequate training for emergencies.
Key Questions Answered
The Allahabad High Court took suo motu cognisance of a tragic sleeper bus fire on the Yamuna Expressway that resulted in the deaths of nine passengers. Consequently, Justice Saurabh Shyam Shamshery ordered state officials to submit an affidavit detailing safety checks, permit issuance, and compliance standards for such buses.
The affidavit must disclose the number of sleeper bus permits issued in Uttar Pradesh over the last three years and whether standards were verified beforehand. It must also reveal if bus designs were altered to compromise security, whether commercial parcels were carried, and provide details on border checks, night inspections, and training for drivers and conductors.
The court referenced data shared in the Rajya Sabha indicating that 45 bus fire incidents occurred across India between January 2023 and December 10, 2025. These tragic incidents resulted in a total of 64 deaths and 145 injuries nationwide.
