Transport Department recommends FIR against School Management in Pulwama

PULWAMA: Taking serious cognizance of a critical road safety violation, the office of the Transport Commissioner, Jammu & Kashmir, has formally requested the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Pulwama, to lodge an FIR against the management and authorities of Future Pack Secondary School, Shadimarg, Pulwama. The action follows a road accident in which a school bus operated by the institution overturned at Darbgam, Pulwama, leaving 11 students injured out of the 13 onboard.

The vehicle involved, bearing registration number JK01M-2712, was reportedly being operated in direct contravention of mandatory statutory requirements laid down under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. Preliminary reports indicate that the bus had neither been produced before the competent transport authority for the mandatory fitness inspection nor did it possess the necessary valid permits and statutory documentation required for operating as a designated school transport vehicle.

Highlighting the grave negligence, Transport Commissioner, Vishesh Paul Mahajan, stated in an official communication that operating uninspected and unauthorized vehicles places the lives and safety of schoolchildren at severe risk.

Consequently, the police authorities have been urged to initiate criminal proceedings under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the school management to fix strict accountability for endangering student lives.

ARTO Pulwama has also been tasked with actively pursuing the matter with local police authorities for prompt registration of the case and submission of an Action Taken Report.

Meanwhile a joint team of MVD Pulwama and Traffic Police conducted thorough inspection of transport fleet of Future Pack Secondary School. During operation two more vehicles violating the permit conditions and with valid documents were seized immediately.