Overview
- A Delhi‑to‑Mahoba AC sleeper bus caught fire late at night on the Yamuna Expressway, 26 of the 35 passengers escaped and nine died after being trapped inside.
- Police registered an FIR that includes rash driving, endangering life and culpable homicide and have placed two drivers, a conductor and the operator’s manager in judicial custody.
- Investigators say crew members had reported mechanical faults, including a gearbox problem, to the company before the trip and a preliminary technical probe points to a possible short circuit or an air‑conditioning fault.
- The Allahabad High Court took suo motu notice and ordered Uttar Pradesh officials to file an affidavit by October 13 detailing sleeper‑bus permits, safety inspections, emergency equipment checks and driver training records.
- Records show the bus had accumulated multiple traffic challans and the state and PM’s National Relief Fund have announced cash aid for victims, raising fresh questions about enforcement and passenger safety on the expressway.