Allahabad High Court Orders Comprehensive Probe into Sleeper Bus Safety After Fatal Fire

On September 24, a fire broke out on an air-conditioned sleeper bus traveling the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida, killing nine passengers. Taking suo motu cognisance of the tragedy, a single bench of Justice Saurabh Shyam Shamshery of the Allahabad High Court ordered Uttar Pradesh state officials to file a detailed affidavit by October 13, 2026. The affidavit must disclose the number of sleeper-bus permits issued in the state over the past three years, whether prescribed safety standards were verified before those permits were granted, and whether any design alterations compromised passenger security. The court also sought information on border-checking points, night-time inspections, fire-extinguisher availability, emergency-exit awareness, and the training status of drivers and conductors.

"AC Sleeper Buses Operating Without Checks, Staff Not Trained": High Court On Noida Tragedy Hindustan TimesThe Indian Express

The court’s intervention follows a series of bus-fire incidents across Uttar Pradesh. Data presented from the Rajya Sabha shows 45 bus-fire incidents between January 2023 and December 10, 2025, resulting in 64 deaths and 145 injuries nationwide. Specific Uttar Pradesh cases cited include a July 2023 fire on the Rae Bareli-Prayagraj-Lucknow highway (three fatalities), a November 2024 fire on the Kannauj-Lucknow-Agra expressway (four fatalities), and a December 2025 fire on the Yamuna Expressway (13 fatalities). The recent Greater Noida blaze adds nine more deaths to this grim tally.

Hindustan Times

• 45 bus-fire incidents (Jan 2023 – Dec 10 2025) – Rajya Sabha data.

Hindustan Times

• 64 deaths and 145 injuries from those incidents.

Hindustan Times

• Prior Uttar Pradesh incidents: 3 deaths (July 2023), 4 deaths (Nov 2024), 13 deaths (Dec 2025).

Hindustan Times

• Current incident: 9 passenger deaths (Sept 24).

"AC Sleeper Buses Operating Without Checks, Staff Not Trained": High Court On Noida Tragedy

The Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh pledged personal oversight of the matter, promising joint night-time inspections and verification of whether buses are stopped at designated points. The Director General of Police and the Additional Chief Secretary (Transport) briefed the court via video conference on actions already taken, including initiation of criminal proceedings related to the fire. The court, however, noted “scope for improvement” and urged the transport department to intensify regular inspections.

"AC Sleeper Buses Operating Without Checks, Staff Not Trained": High Court On Noida Tragedy

• “On a specific query of this court about checking of such buses within the state of Uttar Pradesh, the court was informed about steps taken by the Transport Department, however, the court finds that still there is scope of improvement and to intensify regular checking of such buses.” — the court

"AC Sleeper Buses Operating Without Checks, Staff Not Trained": High Court On Noida Tragedy

The affidavit detailing permits, safety-check procedures, design modifications, and any prior criminal actions must be submitted by October 13, 2026. The matter is scheduled for a further hearing on October 13 (year unspecified), where the court will review the submitted information and consider additional actions, including possible bans on licensees found non-compliant.

The Indian Express