The Madras High Court has declined to quash the charge memo against a suspended city regional transport officer (RTO), in connection with the death of a class II child, Shruthi, after she slipped through a hole in the floor of her school bus in 2012.
Dismissing the officer’s petition, Justice K.K. Sasidharan said transport authorities and the police seldom check these vehicles. The authorities should realise their statutory duty and conduct periodical checks of school buses and ensure strict compliance of the Motor Vehicles Act and Rules.
The Judge has also said that educational institutions operating bus services owe it to students as they operate the buses after collecting fee. They are also given tax concession, being educational institutions. “Even then, these institutions maintain old and worn-out buses, endangering the lives of students,” he said.
The accident that killed Shruthi took place on July 25, 2012, when she was travelling in a bus belonging to Zion Matriculation School, Selaiyur. K. Pattappasamy, who was then RTO of Tambaram, and a motor vehicles inspector were suspended.
Mr. Pattappasamy challenged the charge memo of March 28, 2013, on the grounds that he is not expected to inspect all vehicles. His duty is to cross-check just 10 per cent of MVI verification.
The government, however, alleged the petitioner had failed to maintain absolute integrity and devotion to duty.
Class II student, Shruthi, slipped through a hole in the floor of her school bus and died