The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court on Tuesday strongly reprimanded the Deputy Director of Education for failing to comply with earlier directions in a long-pending Public Interest Litigation related to school bus safety and student transport regulations.
A division bench of Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Raj Wakode observed that despite clear orders issued on March 17, no compliance report had been placed on record. The court noted that even during the hearing, the officer failed to produce any documents.
During the proceedings, the High Court was informed that except for 41 schools, several institutions were yet to submit details of Transport Committee meetings held over the past two years, along with lists of buses and vans used for transporting students.
Granting a final opportunity, the bench directed the schools to file affidavits by June 18. It warned that failure to comply could invite action from the Deputy Director of Education and the CBSE, apart from recovery of costs as ordered earlier.
The court observed that the conduct of the Deputy Director showed he was “not serious about the Court’s proceedings and orders” and had displayed complete disregard for judicial directions. The bench initially directed the Principal Secretary of the School Education Department to examine the matter and initiate action against the officer.
However, following a request by Additional Government Pleader Adv D P Thakare, the court kept the proposed action in abeyance till the next hearing, subject to full compliance with earlier orders and submission of an affidavit assuring strict adherence in future.
The State informed the court that the remaining 86 bus stops would be fixed within 15 days for installation of signages, while verification of school buses and vans would be completed within a month before schools reopen.
The court also directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) and the Regional Transport Officer to file compliance affidavits before the next hearing on June 18. Amicus curiae Adv Firdos Mirza, along with Adv Isha Thakare, assisted the court in the matter.
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