Allahabad High Court directs stricter checks of sleeper buses at night.

The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to file detailed affidavits on the regulation, inspection and safety standards of sleeper buses after taking suo motu cognizance of reports that nine passengers were killed when a bus caught fire on the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida on September 23, 2026.

A bench of Justice Saurabh Shyam Shamshery, hearing the matter on September 25, also directed that inspections of sleeper buses in the state be intensified, particularly at night, and asked authorities to examine whether such buses comply with prescribed Automotive Industry Standards.

Court registered the matter as In Re: Nine Dead As Bus Erupts In Flames On Yamuna E-Way. It took cognizance of reports published on September 25 about the incident and noted that similar accidents had occurred in Uttar Pradesh earlier.

Sleeper Buses Operating Without Proper Checks

Court referred to an earlier order in which it had observed that AC sleeper buses appeared to be operating “without proper check and without proper safeguards, such as, fire extinguisher etc.”

It had also observed that drivers and conductors of buses were not adequately trained to act responsibly in such mishappenings.

The bench noted that three similar accidents had taken place in Uttar Pradesh: one in July 2023 on the Raibareli-Prayagraj-Lucknow Highway, which resulted in three deaths; another in November 2024 on the Kannauj-Lucknow-Agra Expressway, which resulted in four deaths; and an accident in December 2025 on the Yamuna Expressway in the Mathura-Greater Noida region, which resulted in 13 deaths.

Court also referred to data shared in the Rajya Sabha by the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways showing that about 45 fire incidents involving buses occurred between January 2023 and December 10, 2025, resulting in 64 passenger deaths and 145 injuries.

Fire Safety Standards For Sleeper Coaches

The Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and Additional Chief Secretary (Transport) appeared before the court through video conferencing and briefed it about the accident and criminal proceedings initiated thereafter.

On being specifically asked about checking of such buses in Uttar Pradesh, the Transport Department informed the court about steps taken. The bench, however, said there was still “scope for improvement” and that regular checking of such buses needed to be intensified.

Court considered research by the amicus curiae and its research associates on Automotive Industry Standards applicable to buses. It noted that AIS-052 relates to general bus body design, AIS-119 to sleeper coach specifications and AIS-135 to fire detection and suppression.

According to the requirements placed before the court, sleeper coaches cannot have a driver partition, their height is restricted to 3.8 metres, and they must have four emergency exits if shorter than 12 metres and five if longer than 12 metres. The standards also prescribe specific gangway dimensions.

For fire safety, the standards require automated aerosol or foam systems in the engine bay and low-pressure water mist systems in the passenger cabin. They also provide for Driver Drowsiness Alert Systems.

Court said it had not been informed whether the bus involved in the accident complied with these requirements. If it had not, the authorities were directed to take appropriate action not only against the driver and conductor but also against the licensee. Court said even a decision could be taken to ban buses of such a licensee.

Night Inspections, Permit Checks Ordered

The Chief Secretary assured the court that he would personally look into the matter and that joint action would be taken. Inspections would specifically be carried out at night because such buses normally ply during the night. Authorities would also verify whether the buses were stopping at specified or designated places.

Court directed the concerned department to file affidavits on the number of sleeper-bus permits issued from Uttar Pradesh during the last three years and whether the prescribed standards were checked before permits were issued.

The affidavits must also disclose whether sleeper-bus designs were changed to create more space while compromising safety, and whether the buses were being used for commercial purposes such as carrying parcels.

The government must further provide details of checking points at state borders and surprise inspections. It has also been asked to state whether, during inspections, passengers' statements were recorded, fire extinguishers were checked, passengers were informed about emergency gates, and drivers and conductors knew the precautions required during a mishap.

Court has also sought details of criminal action taken in similar accidents during the last three years and their outcomes. It clarified that the affidavits should additionally contain proposed action and collective measures required to prevent such accidents.

The matter will next be heard on October 13, 2026.

Case Title: In Re: Nine Dead As Bus Erupts In Flames On Yamuna E-Way v. State of U.P. and 2 Others

Order Date: September 25, 2026

Bench: Justice Saurabh Shyam Shamshery

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