Punjab Commission demands reports following Patiala tragedy

The Punjab State Child Rights Commission has summoned reports from the Deputy Commissioner and Senior Superintendent of Police, Patiala regarding the recent road accident in Patiala.

Providing more information on this regard, Commission Chairperson Mr. Kanwarjit Singh said that the Commission has taken suo-moto notice of the case where seven students and a driver died in a horrific collision between a school vehicle and a tipper truck, with many others injured.

The Commission has written to the Deputy Commissioner Patiala directing that all possible treatment be provided to the injured children. The Regional Transport Officer has been strictly instructed to thoroughly inspect overloaded tippers/vehicles plying on roads. Besides this, the Commission has directed that the vehicles of the affected school and all schools in the district be inspected and strict action be taken against school vehicle drivers and schools if the vehicles do not meet prescribed conditions.

Likewise, the Senior Superintendent of Police, Patiala has been instructed to thoroughly investigate the tipper, driver's license, complete documentation of the tipper including valid RC, fitness certificate and compliance with government mining policy conditions regarding road usage and overloading and to take appropriate action against the tipper owner according to regulations.

The Commission has sought action reports from both the Deputy Commissioner and SSP of Patiala by May 11, 2025.