Bhopal: Uncontrolled school bus runs over people standing at red light, woman riding scooter killed; CCTV footage surfaces

Bhopal: Bhopal Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Jitendra Sharma has been suspended by the Madhya Pradesh government for his alleged negligence related to a tragic incident in the heart of the city leading to the death of a woman, offiical sources said on Tuesday.

The woman was killed when a school bus with faulty brakes ran over people standing at a red light at Banganga Chowk under the TT Nagar police station.

The sources said Chief Minister Mohan Yadav directed strict action with regard to the accident, which occurred Monday afternoon. Based on this, the Bhopal Divisional Commissioner issued orders suspending RTO Sharma on the proposal of the Transport Commissioner.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the fitness certificate, registration, and insurance of the private school bus had expired five months ago. During the suspension period, Sharma's headquarters will be at the Bhopal Divisional Commissioner's office.

The Chief Minister has ordered that no vehicle should operate in the state without a valid fitness certificate, and and all steps should be taken to ensure such incidents did not recur. Based on the CM's directives, an FIR has been registered in the case.

According to the police, the private school bus coming down a slope at Roshanpura chowk lost control after its brakes failed, hitting vehicles which had stopped at the red light. A 22-year-old woman riding a scooter was killed, and four to five people were injured, with two in critical condition.

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दिल दहला देने वाला ये वीडियो भोपाल से आया है। CCTV में कैद इस वीडियो में स्कूल बस ने सिग्नल पर खड़े 8 से ज़्यादा वाहनों को टक्कर मारी, हादसे में महिला डॉक्टर की मौत, 12 लोग घायल हैं।
बताया जा रहा है कि बस के ब्रेक फेल हो गए, फिटनेस सर्टिफिकेट और बीमा अवधि एक्सपायर कर चुकी थी।… pic.twitter.com/jjsFrrIDmx

— Ajit Singh Rathi (@AjitSinghRathi) May 12, 2025 >

The police have registered a case against the bus driver and seized the bus.

An investigation has been initiated, and allegations of the driver being under the influence of alcohol are being probed. Some children were on board the bus, but they are reportedly safe.