Lawyer urges Maharashtra rights panel to take cognizance of Mumbai bus accident

Mumbai, Dec 30 (PTI) A Mumbai lawyer on Tuesday approached the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC), urging the panel to take suo motu (on its own) cognizance of a fatal accident involving a BEST bus and ensure an impartial inquiry into the tragedy.

Four people were killed and nine others injured when a bus of the civic-run transport undertaking BEST crashed into pedestrians in suburban Bhandup on Monday night while reversing.

The lawyer, in his application to the commission, alleged that a pattern of negligence exists within BEST (Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport Undertaking) service, citing a similar "terrible accident" last year outside Kurla (West) railway station that resulted in eight deaths and injuries to 49 people.

"After every accident, no action is taken against those responsible. As a result, such incidents continue to occur. There is a possibility that the matter may be hushed up after such an inhumane accident," the plea, filed through advocate Ashish Rai, said.

Highlighting the seriousness of the latest accident, the lawyer urged the commission to take suo motu cognizance of the matter to ensure an impartial inquiry.

The MSHRC should seek complete information from the police, Mumbai police commissioner, senior BEST officers, and Maharashtra (chief) secretary on investigation of the accident, he pleaded.

The plea urged for "direct serious action" if any corrupt government or administrative officials were involved in the incident.

As preventative measures, the commission must direct BEST to immediately launch staff training programme and seek audit reports for operational and non-operational buses in its fleet, it added.

The commission has confirmed receiving the lawyer's plea.

CCTV footage from the accident spot captured the harrowing moment when the bus suddenly moved backward, causing a desperate scramble as pedestrians tried to escape the vehicle's path. PTI AVI RSY