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The Kerala High Court on Monday ordered the state government to file a report on the June 26 incident in which a tourist bus, 'Komban,' caught fire from firecrackers lit above the bus before embarking on a student excursion at Perumon Engineering College, Kollam.

After viewing video clips of the incident in open court, a division bench of Justice Anil K Narendran and Justice PG Ajith Kumar observed that the state of affairs, as revealed by news reports in print and visual media, made it explicitly clear that even after the Court's orders, contract carriages are being used in public places, posing a potential threat to the safety of passengers and other road users.

When the matter was taken up, the Special Government pleader requested time to get instructions on the incident.

Subsequently, the court directed the Special Government pleader to obtain information on whether such vehicles are used on a contract basis in schools as educational institution buses, and by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation for tourism promotion.

Court also ordered the Transport Commissioner and the State Police Chief to ensure that color photographs and video clips of the exterior body of the contract carriage or other transport vehicle, the driver cabin, and the passenger cabin are enclosed with the accident report or inspection report.

Court directed the authorities to make sure that the person who drives or causes or permits to be driven in any public place, such a transport vehicle, is prosecuted by the law.

Furthermore, the Court noted that despite the Motor Vehicles Department taking action against contract carriages that used unregistered lights and sound systems that distracted other motorists and could cause accidents, such violations continue.

The matter has been listed for further consideration on July 8.

Case Title: Suo Moto v. State of Kerala and Ors.