PULWAMA: The Jammu and Kashmir Transport Department has recommended registration of an FIR against the management of Future Pack Secondary School, Shadimarg, Pulwama, following an accident involving its school bus that left 11 students injured.
In a communication to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Pulwama, the Transport Commissioner, Vishesh Paul Mahajan, requested initiation of criminal proceedings against the school management over alleged violations of mandatory vehicle safety regulations.
The bus, bearing registration number JK01M-2712, overturned at Darbgam while carrying 13 occupants, including 11 students who sustained injuries.
According to the Transport Department, preliminary reports indicated that the vehicle had not been produced before the competent authority for mandatory fitness inspection and allegedly lacked valid permits and other statutory documents required for operating as a school transport vehicle.
The department said operating vehicles without mandatory inspections and authorisation posed a serious risk to the safety of schoolchildren.
The police have been requested to initiate proceedings under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO), Pulwama, has also been directed to pursue the matter with the local police and submit an Action Taken Report.
Meanwhile, a joint team of the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD), Pulwama, and Traffic Police inspected the transport fleet of the school. During the inspection, two additional vehicles were seized for allegedly violating permit conditions and other statutory requirements.