Court pulls up 93 schools for skipping bus safety norms

Nagpur: Nagpur bench of Bombay high court on Tuesday pulled up city schools for failing to comply with mandatory safety oversight of school buses, noting that 93 out of 131 institutions did not submit required details on transport committee meetings.A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode observed during the hearing that despite repeated opportunities, only 38 schools furnished information on meetings meant to review student transport safety, while the remaining institutions failed to respond.The case stems from a suo motu PIL initiated after death of a schoolchild who was run over by a bus, a case that spotlighted safety lapses in schools. The HC monitored compliance under state norms that require schools to hold transport committee meets every 3 months. These committees must include school head and parent representatives.Senior advocate Firdos Mirza, appearing as court-appointed amicus curiae, assisted the bench, with Isha Thakre. The state was represented by additional govt pleader Deepak Thakre, while the NMC was represented by advocate Abhay Sambre. The matter has been posted for next hearing on April 4.On Jan 16, court directed all respondent schools to submit a detailed tabulation of meetings conducted over past 2 years. Even after granting additional time, most schools did not comply, prompting the court to direct govt to issue notices to those yet to be served.The bench also signalled strict consequences, warning that schools failing to submit the information could face a penalty of 50,000 each. "Despite opportunity, compliance remains inadequate," the court indicated, underscoring concerns over student safety.