A seven-year-old girl died after falling through a damaged portion of a moving school bus floor in Uttar Pradesh. The tragic incident occurred on Saturday afternoon in Nagla Sadhu village in the Kasganj area. The child, identified as Ananya, studied in kindergarten and was returning home from school. She traveled with three other children, including her elder brother who studies in Class II.
According to her father Ravi Yadav, Ananya fell through a broken section near the rear wheel. The damaged portion was reportedly located directly above the tyres. Other children inside the bus started shouting and raised an alarm immediately. However, Ravi alleged that the driver continued driving for nearly 100 to 150 metres.
Taxi Driver Raises Alarm
A passing taxi driver noticed the child lying on the road. He quickly speed ahead and stopped his vehicle in front of the school bus. The taxi driver then alerted the bus driver about what had happened. Consequently, the bus came to a halt after the warning.
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Police officials later stated that the hole in the bus floor measured nearly 2.5 feet by 2.5 feet. Authorities said the opening posed a serious safety risk to passengers. Family members alleged that the driver reversed the bus and placed the child inside. However, instead of taking her to the nearest hospital, he allegedly drove toward her home. Ananya’s uncle Santosh Yadav said the family rushed her to a hospital immediately. Doctors, however, declared her dead upon arrival.
Protest Erupts Over Alleged Negligence
Following the incident, the grieving family and local residents staged a protest. They accused the school management and driver of gross negligence. During the commotion, the bus was vandalised and the driver was reportedly beaten. Eventually, both the driver and the vehicle were handed over to police authorities.
Senior officials reached the site and assured strict action. Only after their intervention did the protest conclude. The family alleged they had repeatedly informed school authorities about the damaged bus floor. Despite complaints, they claimed no corrective action was taken.
More than 24 hours later, police registered an FIR at Gangiri police station. The case names school manager Arvind Yadav and bus driver Chandra Prakash. Police filed charges under culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Authorities confirmed that further investigation is ongoing.
Aligarh’s Assistant Regional Transport Officer Pravesh Kumar stated that action is being initiated against the school management. Additionally, he confirmed proceedings against the bus driver. Earlier, school manager Arvind Yadav claimed the bus underwent servicing in January. He stated that all identified defects were repaired at that time.
School’s Defence and Driver’s Role
The manager suggested that welding at one section may have loosened. He speculated that children jumping inside the vehicle could have widened the damaged portion.
He also claimed that the hole became larger during vandalism by locals after the incident. However, he admitted negligence on the driver’s part. According to the manager, no visible damage appeared on Saturday morning when children traveled to school. The school had hired 32-year-old Chandra Pal to drive the bus.
The institution operates up to intermediate level and enrolls around 500 students. On Saturday, the bus carried approximately 28 students to their homes. The school lies nearly 55 kilometres from Aligarh city and about 20 kilometres from Kasganj. Most students come from the Kasganj region.
Political Reaction and Demand for Probe
Meanwhile, the Congress party demanded a thorough investigation into the incident. The party described the tragedy as murder rather than an accident. In a statement on X, Congress alleged systemic corruption and negligence. The party claimed authorities ignored repeated complaints about unsafe buses.
The statement further alleged collusion between school management and officials. It accused authorities of allowing substandard vehicles to transport children. The party demanded strict action against those responsible. It urged authorities to ensure no innocent child becomes a victim again.
The incident has raised serious questions about school transport safety standards. Parents across the region expressed concern about vehicle maintenance practices. Authorities now face pressure to conduct safety audits of school buses. Moreover, stricter inspections may follow in coming weeks. For Ananya’s family, however, the tragedy has left irreversible loss. As investigations continue, officials have promised accountability and legal action.
