Bombay High Court won’t let bus safety case be delayed

Mumbai: The Bombay high court has refused to allow any new intervenors in a public interest litigation (PIL) related to school bus safety as the intervention applications were delaying the hearing of the case. The PIL has objected to the implementation of the Motor Vehicles Act by the state government allowing smaller vehicles to ferry students to and fro from schools while the Act stipulates a minimum seating capacity of 13 for a vehicle to be permitted as a school bus.

A division bench of Chief Justice Dr Manjula Chellur and Justice N.M. Jamdar was hearing a PIL filed by the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) challenging the government’s decision to allow smaller vehicles as they could enter lanes and by-lanes. The PTA had contended that the smaller vehicles were dangerous as they could turn turtle and cause fatalities.

When the case came up for hearing, an intervenor in support of light motor vehicles sought permission to intervene in the petition. However, the counsel for PTA said it was an attempt to delay the petition and hence should not be allowed.  

After hearing the objections the bench acknowledged that there was a delay in the implementation of Maharashtra motor vehicle rules and laws with regards to child safety and directed the department to place it immediately after vacation. The bench also noted no new intervention application would be allowed which would delay the case and refused to entertain the new intervenor.

As per Central Motor GR of September 8, 2016, a school bus is defined as a vehicle having a seating capacity of 13 and a driver.