DHC orders to impound killer Blueline buses

New Delhi, Oct 8: The Delhi High Court today cracked the whip on Blueline buses, ordering Delhi Police to impound all Blueline buses involved in fatal incidents following yesterday's mowing down of seven commuters by a bus in south Delhi.

A division bench, comprising Justices Mukul Mudgal and Reva Khetarpal, suo motu took up the hearing of the case relating to the mayhem by the Blueline bus.

The bench asked the Delhi police, ''why no FIR has been registered against the Blueline bus involved in fatal accident killing seven commuters in Badarpur yesterday.'' Ordering the police to impound the killer Blueline buses, the court said they should not be relieved except under the High Court order.

It also asked the Delhi Government to submit detailed policy of complete withdrawal of blue line buses.

The bench expressed serious concern over the failure of institutional mechanisms. It wondered why the cases of Blueline buses involved in fatal accidents are increasing which has become a serious matter.

Changing the drivers may not be the right solution, said the High Court, adding, ''It is the bus owners who should be made accountable.'' According to the court, ''DTC buses are often challaned but Blueline buses appeared to enjoy immunity. It is time the owners were taken to task.'' Although, the Blueline case was to be heard on December 15, the High Court preponed the date of hearing to October 11.

UNI