7 year-old girl dies after falling through hole in school bus floor

A seven-year-old girl, Ananya , died after allegedly falling through a large hole in the floor of a private school bus in the Gangiri area of Aligarh district, Uttar Pradesh, police said on Monday.

The incident occurred on Saturday when the bus was travelling on a rural road. According to the family, the driver then reversed the bus and placed Ananya inside the vehicle. Her uncle, Santosh Yadav, alleged that instead of taking her to the nearest hospital, the driver drove the bus to their home. “We immediately rushed her to a hospital, but the doctors declared her dead,” he said.

Following the tragedy, the family and local residents staged a protest, alleging negligence. During the commotion, the driver was reportedly beaten and the bus vandalised before both the driver and the school manager, Arvind Yadav, were handed over to the police. The protest ended only after senior officials arrived and assured strict action.

The family claimed they had repeatedly informed the school authorities, staff, and the driver about the damaged and unsafe condition of the bus floor, but no action was taken.

Police have arrested the manager and driver on charges of criminal negligence. In such cases, the accused are likely to face charges under Section 304A of the Indian Penal Code for causing death by negligence, punishable with up to two years’ imprisonment, or fine, or both. They may also face action under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 for operating an unsafe vehicle.

A detailed investigation is underway to determine responsibility and examine possible lapses in school transport safety regulations.