Allahabad High Court calls for safety review following fatal sleeper bus fire in Greater Noida

The Allahabad HC examined bus safety following a tragic fire that killed nine, ordering reports on safety compliance and inspections while noting past incidents

The Allahabad High Court on Friday took suo motu cognisance of a news report on the death of nine passengers in a fire that broke out in a sleeper bus on the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida on September 24, and sought a detailed report from the Uttar Pradesh government on safety checks and permits for such buses.

Allahabad High Court said there was “scope for improvement” in the transport department’s checking mechanism and directed authorities to intensify regular inspections. (HT FILE)

A single bench of justice Saurabh Shyam Shamshery directed state officials to file affidavits by October 13, disclosing the number of sleeper bus permits issued in the state over the past three years and whether prescribed safety standards were verified before permits were granted. The court also sought details on any modification to bus design that may have “compromised the security” and whether buses were carrying commercial parcels.

The court said there was “scope for improvement” in the transport department’s checking mechanism and directed authorities to intensify regular inspections.

The court sought details of border checkpoints and night inspections, including whether officials check fire extinguishers and emergency exits, and verify the training of drivers and conductors. It also sought details of criminal action and outcomes in similar accidents over the past three years.

The court referred to news reports and Rajya Sabha data, showing 45 bus fire incidents between January 2023 and December 10, 2025, which caused 64 deaths and 145 injuries across India. It also cited three previous incidents in UP: a July 2023 fire on the Rae Bareli-Prayagraj-Lucknow highway that killed three, a November 2024 fire on the Kannauj-Lucknow-Agra expressway that killed four, and a December 2025 fire on the Yamuna Expressway that killed 13.

It directed authorities to take action against the driver, conductor and licensee if the bus was found to have violated government rules, including considering a ban on buses operated by the licensee.