A Mumbai-based lawyer has formally approached the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (SHRC), demanding action and accountability for the fatal Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus accident that occurred outside Bhandup station on Monday night. The tragic incident in the city's eastern suburbs resulted in four fatalities and left eight other persons injured.
Details of the Bhandup Accident and Legal Plea
In his application to the commission, lawyer Ashish Rai has urged the SHRC to take suo motu cognizance of the case. The complaint highlights that the bus driver, upon taking control of the vehicle, claimed the previous driver had left the hand brake in drive mode instead of neutral. This alleged error caused the bus to surge forward uncontrollably, leading to the devastating collision with pedestrians.
The application explicitly requests the Honourable Commission to conduct a thorough investigation into the entire episode. It seeks written explanations from the responsible administrative bodies and the BEST bus service administration. Furthermore, it prays for directions to initiate serious action if any corrupt government or administrative officials are found involved. A key demand is for the BEST administration to conduct immediate driver and staff training programmes to prevent such tragedies.
Echoes of a Previous Tragedy in Kurla
The lawyer's complaint draws a direct parallel to a similar and deadly incident from the recent past. He cited the accident involving an electric bus on wet lease from BEST, which occurred outside Kurla station on December 9, 2024. That accident had claimed nine lives.
In the Kurla case, the police had named the driver, Sanjay More, who remains behind bars, and two officials linked to the lease company. Their probe had raised significant concerns over the training provided to drivers for operating electric buses. However, in a subsequent development in September 2025, a sessions court discharged the two private company officials. The court noted a lack of conclusive proof of negligence on their part, as they had complied with the agreement by providing drivers and the stipulated one-week training.
The defence in the Kurla case had submitted that driver Sanjay More had been in service since November 21, 2024, and had logged 728 km of driving experience on electric buses prior to the accident, arguing he was not untrained.
Commission's Response and Broader Implications
The State Human Rights Commission received the complaint regarding the Bhandup accident on Tuesday. This legal move underscores growing public concern over recurring accidents involving public transport buses in Mumbai and puts institutional focus on the protocols of driver training, vehicle handover procedures, and administrative accountability.
The plea goes beyond seeking justice for the victims of the Bhandup tragedy; it aims to compel systemic reforms within the public transport utility to ensure such "accidents waiting to happen" are proactively prevented through rigorous checks, balances, and continuous training.
