A tragic school bus accident on February 28, 2026, at the Aligarh–Kasganj border has exposed shocking negligence by school management and transport authorities. A four-year-old girl lost her life after the floor of a moving school bus collapsed, raising serious questions about vehicle fitness certification and enforcement.

The incident took place near Nagla Sadhu village in the Dholna area on the Gangiri–Kasganj road. The victim, Ananya, was a UKG student of Mount Deva International School and was returning home with her elder brother in the school bus (UP 81 BT-8873). According to the investigation, the bus was in a severely dilapidated condition.

Expired Permit, No Insurance, Unsafe Bus

While the bus was in motion, its floor reportedly gave way. The child fell out and sustained fatal injuries. Her brother immediately alerted the driver, but the bus was stopped only later at Gangiri intersection. The incident led to outrage among villagers and family members, who blocked the road in protest.

The bus driver, Chandraprakash, was detained by locals and handed over to the police. It was later found that the bus had no valid insurance, an expired permit, and was mechanically unfit to transport children.

Driver Arrested, School Management Booked

After intervention by senior officials, a case was registered at Gangiri police station. Based on a complaint filed by the child’s father, charges of culpable homicide were filed against the school manager Arvind Yadav and driver Chandraprakash. The driver has been arrested and sent to jail. The school management has suspended four staff members.

DSP Sanjeev Tomar confirmed that further action will be taken against the school authorities following the investigation.

RTO Officials Suspended

The tragedy also exposed serious lapses within the transport department. On the instructions of Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh, an inquiry revealed that RTO Enforcement Officer Vandana Singh failed to carry out mandatory inspections of school vehicles, despite Road Safety Month directives issued in January 2026.

Additionally, the then Divisional Inspector (Technical) Champalal—currently posted in Siddharthnagar—was found to have issued a fitness certificate to the unfit bus.

Both officials were suspended on March 1, 2026, and attached to Lucknow headquarters. A departmental inquiry has been ordered.

More Officials Under Scanner

Transport Commissioner Kinjal Singh stated that notices have also been issued to:

• Deputy Transport Commissioner (Zone), Agra

• ARTO (Administration/Enforcement), Aligarh

• ARTO, Kasganj

• Passenger Tax Officer, Aligarh

All have been asked to submit explanations within three days.

‘Children Were Transported in a Junk Bus’

ARTO Pravesh Kumar filed a formal complaint stating that children were being transported in a bus that blatantly violated safety norms. This complaint has been included in the police investigation.