The Supreme Court on Monday issued directives to government of Punjab, Motorway Police and concerned insurance companies to compensate heirs of 37 school children, and some staff members who died as a result of an accident while travelling in an overloaded bus which overturned on Lahore-Islamabad Motorway in September last.
The bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain also directed the Attorney General, Maulvi Anwarul Haq, to take personal interest in payment of compensation. The court ordered registration of criminal cases against all responsible of the bus accident, including Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMO), Rawalpindi, school administration, and owner of the bus, and sought compliance report by Tuesday, December 13.
The court noted that negligence of Motorway Police was also involved in the accident. Thus, it should pay double compensation, as compared to others. The court also summoned the TMO Secretary and prosecutor General, Punjab, on Tuesday. The court was informed that the case had been sent to the anti corruption department against the officers who cleared the bus by giving it fitness certificate.
The insurance company told the court that it was bound to pay Rs 0. 5 million as compensation. However, it paid Rs 3.3 million on humanitarian basis. SSP Abbas of Motorway Police told the court that three officers, who committed negligence, had been dismissed, whereas a DSP was given show-cause notice. The hearing was adjourned to December 13.
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