Nine passengers lost their lives when an AC sleeper bus caught fire on the Yamuna Expressway near Noida on June 29, 2026. The blaze erupted within minutes, forcing the vehicle to skid into a ditch and trapping the occupants. In response, Justice Saurabh Shyam Shamshery of the Allahabad High Court took suo motu cognisance and issued a direction to Uttar Pradesh authorities.
The court demanded an affidavit that enumerates the total number of sleeper‑bus permits issued in the state over the past three years, and whether the prescribed safety standards were verified before issuing those permits. It also asked for evidence of any design alterations that might compromise passenger security, and whether the buses carried commercial parcels. Additionally, the affidavit must detail border‑checking points, night inspections, fire‑extinguisher availability, emergency‑exit awareness, and training records for drivers and conductors.
The court cited data from the Rajya Sabha, which lists 45 bus‑fire incidents between January 2023 and December 10, 2025, resulting in 64 deaths and 145 injuries nationwide. It also referenced a Hindustan Times report that highlighted earlier failures in inspecting the bus involved in the Noida fire. Uttar Pradesh officials said criminal proceedings have been initiated against the driver and the operator.
During a video‑conference briefing, the chief secretary, the director‑general of police, and the additional chief secretary for transport briefed the court on the accident response and the steps taken by the Transport Department. The court noted that while some checks had been conducted, there remains room for improvement and called for intensified regular inspections.
Justice Shamshery warned that if the bus is found non‑compliant, the court may impose sanctions on the driver, conductor, and licensee, including a potential ban on the licensee’s operation. The next hearing on the matter is scheduled for October 13, where the court will evaluate the submitted affidavit and decide on further action.