HYDERABAD: A public interest litigation was filed in the Hyderabad High Court on Monday seeking directions to the government to constitute a high-level committee headed by a retired High Court Judge to conduct an enquiry into the fatal school bus accident at Masaipet village in Medak district on July 24. Fifteen children were killed in the tragedy.
Petitioner M Ram Mohan Rao, a resident of the city, sought the court to direct the railway authorities to construct level crossing gates forthwith and to appoint operators at Masaipet and also other places of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states. He also sought appropriate legal action against the authorities who are liable for the accident and to take steps to ensure safety of the public at large.
He submitted that the Telangana state government has held the railways responsible for the mishap by neglecting to set up gates at the unmanned level crossings, while the railway authorities have held school bus driver Bhikshapathi Goud responsible as he drove the bus into the approaching train.
The petitioner contended that there was a need to enquire into the genuineness of driving licence of the driver, bus fitness certificate etc.
Union home secretary, Union minister for railways, general manager of South Central Railway, principal secretary to transport, roads and buildings, Government of Telangana, chairman of Kakatiya Techno School and others were named as respondents.