Friday, July 27, 2012

Tamil Nadu school girl death: Motor vehicle inspector arrested

Chennai, July 27 (IANS) Tamil Nadu police have arrested a motor vehicle inspector for issuing fitness certificate for a defective school bus that resulted in the death of a six-year-old girl here a day ago.

In a statement issued late Thursday, the government said the police have arrested motor vehicle inspector, P. Rajasekaran, posted at Tambaram office in the city suburb for serious lapse in issuing fitness certificate without properly inspecting the vehicle.

The government has also ordered a detailed enquiry by Deputy Transport Commissioner P. Vijayaraj.

Rajasekaran is also suspended from his service.

S. Shruti, who was returning home from her school in Tambaram city suburbs, was seated on the sixth row behind the driver in the school bus.

When she got up to get down, she slipped down to the road through a massive hole under her seat and was crushed to death by the same bus.

The cardboard which was used to cover the hole under her seat gave in under her weight as she stood up, and resulted in her death.

Unaware of the incident, driver Seeman continued to drive while the passersby along the road were horrified to witness the girl being crushed to death.

The driver was thrashed by the people as he refused to believe that such an accident had occurred. The mob set the bus on fire.

The authorities of Zion Matriculation School denied any responsibility and blamed the bus contractor for the vehicle's condition.

The vehicle was given a fitness certificate by the transport department only recently.

Mourning the death of Shruti, people wearing black badges took out a procession Thursday from the accident spot to her house and paid their homage by placing wreaths there.

The Madras High Court Thursday sought an explanation from the state transport department on how a bus, from which a minor girl slipped and was run over, was given a fitness certificate.

With the arrest of Rajasekaran, the total number of people taken to custody is five. The police had earlier arrested a senior school official N.Vijayan, bus owner Yogeswaran, driver Seeman and cleaner Shanmugham.

What has happened in Tamil Nadu is most unfrotunate.

However, these accidents are bound to happen because of the nexus between the Motor Vehicle Inspectors and the touts who stand outside who can get you a driving licence without even undergoing a test or get you a fitness cetrificate for your vehicle when it is still being driven hudreds of miles from the MV office.

Wherever, the government imposes restrictions, you may be sure the concerned government officials will be willing to cut corners to earn a tidy amount.

Everyone is aware of it but choose to shut their eyes - the chalega mentality.

This is what Anna is fighting against.

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