Allahabad High Court Intervenes in RTO Suspension Case
The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has issued a significant interim order, staying the suspension of Aligarh's Regional Transport Officer (RTO), Vandana. This suspension was directly connected to a tragic school bus accident that resulted in the death of a child, sparking a departmental inquiry and legal proceedings.
Court Directs State Government to Respond
In a decisive move, the court has directed the Uttar Pradesh state government to file its counter affidavit within a strict timeframe of four weeks. The matter has been officially listed for hearing in the week commencing April 20, setting the stage for a detailed judicial examination of the case.
Legal Challenge and Arguments Presented
The interim order was passed by a bench presided over by Justice Manish Mathur. This ruling came in response to a writ petition filed by RTO Vandana, who challenged her suspension order dated March 1. The suspension was initiated in contemplation of a departmental inquiry following the incident on February 28, where the floor of a school bus reportedly collapsed, leading to the fatal accident.
During the proceedings, Senior Counsel Gaurav Mehrotra presented a compelling argument on behalf of the petitioner. He asserted that the RTO had no direct role in the incident, emphasizing that vehicle inspection responsibilities fall under designated inspecting officers, not the RTO. Therefore, he contended that no misconduct could be legitimately attributed to Vandana in this context.
State's Response and Judicial Consideration
The state counsel, representing the government, was unable to effectively rebut the petitioner's arguments on key legal aspects. Observing this, the court noted that the matter required detailed consideration, highlighting the complexity and importance of the case.
While granting the stay on the suspension order, the court provided a crucial clarification. It stated that there would be no bar on the continuation or conclusion of the departmental inquiry proceedings against the petitioner. This ensures that the administrative process can proceed independently while the legal challenge is addressed.
The case underscores ongoing concerns about transportation safety and administrative accountability in public incidents. The upcoming hearing in April is anticipated to provide further insights into the legal and procedural dimensions of this tragic event.
