Bus that caught fire in Greater Noida, killing 9, had Rs 1.75 lakh in challans

The bus had repeatedly come under the radar of authorities for different regulatory violations. Despite the accumulation of 19 challans worth Rs 1.75 lakh, no action appears to have stopped it operations.

In Short

• Nine passengers died after Delhi-Mahoba bus caught fire near Jewar
• Preliminary findings suggest an AC spark ignited engine lubricant oil
• Bus had more than 19 challans, fine amounting to over Rs 1.75 lakh

The bus that caught fire on the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida, killing nine passengers, had accumulated 19 traffic challans amounting to around Rs 1.75 lakh. Repeated violations of traffic and motor vehicle rules were also registered against the bus, according to information available on a government database.

The violations covered several aspects, including underage driver, retrofitting and fuel-related rules and permit requirements. Despite the repeated challans, the bus continued to operate.

One of the challans was issued in January this year for allowing an underage driver to operate the bus. The action was taken near the Delhi-Noida border against the driver for driving the vehicle despite being below the prescribed age.

Another challan, issued in June 2025, related to violations involving fuel change and retrofitting rules. The bus also faced challans for violations linked to its permit.

There were also claims of repeated complaints about unusual noise coming from the bus's engine, raising further questions about the vehicle's condition before the fatal incident.

Another apparent discrepancy concerns the colour of the bus. Its registration certificate (RC) listed its colour as black, while the vehicle involved in the fatal fire was painted yellow and white.

The details indicate that the bus had repeatedly come under the radar of authorities for different regulatory violations. However, despite the accumulation of 19 challans worth approximately Rs 1.75 lakh, no action appears to have stopped the bus from continuing its operations.

The bus was travelling from Kashmere Gate in New Delhi towards Mahoba in Uttar Pradesh when it caught fire near the 33-km milestone of the Yamuna Expressway on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday.

Nine passengers died in the fire, while more than 20 passengers were rescued safely.

When police and fire personnel entered the bus amid heavy smoke, they found nine people dead inside. The deaths appeared to have been caused by burns or suffocation, officials said.

A preliminary investigation indicated that a spark or blast in the bus's air-conditioning system might have caused the engine lubricant oil to catch fire, after which the flames spread rapidly.

Police are making efforts to identify the nine deceased. A case has been registered under the relevant sections, while the driver and conductor have been taken into custody.

- Ends
(Inputs by Arun Tyagi in Greater Noida)