NHRC's Kanoongo hits back at Kejriwal over Punjab sleeper bus safety row
Synopsis
NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo has publicly accused Arvind Kejriwal of protecting financial commissions from unsafe sleeper bus operators in Punjab — pointing to a glaring contradiction: the Punjab government told the NHRC in January 2026 that no sleeper coaches were registered in the state, yet Kejriwal is now opposing the very inspection that exposed them.
Key Takeaways
NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo on 24 October publicly accused Arvind Kejriwal of having financial interests in unsafe sleeper buses operating in Punjab .
The Punjab Transport Department told the NHRC in January 2026 that no sleeper coach buses were registered in the state — contradicting their evident operation.
Kanoongo stated the NHRC has removed or restricted 1,000 non-standard buses nationwide over the past year as part of a broader safety drive.
The NHRC notice was triggered by a complaint from the Network for Access to Justice and Multidisciplinary Outreach Foundation .
Kejriwal alleged on X that the NHRC selectively targeted Punjab's pilgrimage buses while ignoring similar buses in other states, calling it politically motivated.
Kanoongo warned Kejriwal that endangering citizens' lives could result in a return to jail, referencing his earlier incarceration in the Delhi excise policy case.
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) member Priyank Kanoongo on Saturday, 24 October sharply rebuked Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal for questioning the Commission's initiative to remove unsafe sleeper buses from operation in Punjab, accusing him of protecting vested financial interests at the cost of public safety.
Kanoongo's Allegations Against Kejriwal
Responding directly on X (formerly Twitter), Kanoongo alleged that Kejriwal's opposition to the NHRC action was motivated by personal financial gain. 'Don't be afraid, Arvind! We haven't yet launched an investigation into the commissions you're getting from running these buses,' he wrote, in a pointed taunt at the AAP leader.
He went further, writing: 'You're so greedy and foolish that you're playing with innocent citizens' lives for the sake of your commissions and your authoritarian ways.' Kanoongo also warned that if any citizen's life were endangered owing to what he called Kejriwal's 'chaos and authoritarianism', the AAP leader could face a return to jail — an explicit reference to Kejriwal's earlier incarceration in New Delhi in connection with the controversial excise policy and alleged kickbacks from the liquor trade.
The Punjab Bus Contradiction
At the heart of the dispute is a factual discrepancy that Kanoongo highlighted. The Punjab Transport Department, in a response submitted in January 2026, had formally stated that no sleeper coach buses were even registered in the state. Yet Kejriwal publicly objected to the NHRC's inspection of such buses, raising an obvious question: if no such buses are officially registered, why is the AAP leadership opposing scrutiny of their operations?
'This response is contradictory, so we must find out how these buses are operating, which is why we've written to initiate an investigation — because every single citizen's life is invaluable,' Kanoongo said.
The NHRC's Nationwide Safety Drive
Kanoongo clarified that the Punjab notice was not an isolated or politically targeted move. He noted that the NHRC has been conducting a sustained, nationwide campaign against non-standard buses for over a year, during which 1,000 such buses have either been removed from operation or subjected to restrictive measures across multiple states. The Punjab action was triggered by a complaint filed by the Network for Access to Justice and Multidisciplinary Outreach Foundation.
What Kejriwal Said
Earlier, Kejriwal had taken to X to question the Commission's intent. 'The country's largest human rights institution, NHRC, has conducted bus inspections for the first time in its history. Which buses? The super deluxe buses that take Punjab's people on pilgrimages,' he wrote, alleging selective targeting. He questioned why buses from Uttar Pradesh Roadways or any other state had not faced similar inspections, arguing that only Punjab's pilgrimage buses were singled out.
He also raised specific concerns about the nature of deficiencies flagged — including a partition between the driver and passengers — suggesting the NHRC's findings were superficial and politically motivated.
What Happens Next
The NHRC bench headed by Kanoongo has formally written to the Punjab government seeking an explanation for the contradiction between its January 2026 submission and the evident operation of sleeper buses on state routes. The outcome of that inquiry could have regulatory consequences for bus operators in Punjab and potentially set a precedent for how other states respond to similar NHRC notices. With the political temperature already elevated, the controversy is likely to intensify as the Commission presses for a formal government response.
Point of View
The state government has a serious administrative explanation to make about buses that are visibly operating on its roads. Kejriwal's framing of this as selective targeting may resonate with AAP's base, but it sidesteps that core contradiction entirely. The broader pattern is also worth noting: the NHRC's nationwide campaign covering 1,000 buses suggests this is not a targeted political operation — yet the Commission's credibility depends on demonstrating equally rigorous scrutiny of other states, precisely the charge Kejriwal has laid. Without that visible even-handedness, the perception of selective enforcement will persist regardless of the facts.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is NHRC investigating sleeper buses in Punjab?
The NHRC launched an investigation after receiving a complaint from the Network for Access to Justice and Multidisciplinary Outreach Foundation about allegedly unsafe sleeper buses operating in Punjab. The Commission's bench, headed by member Priyank Kanoongo, issued notices to the Punjab state government as part of a broader nationwide campaign against non-standard buses.
What contradiction did Kanoongo highlight about Punjab's bus records?
The Punjab Transport Department told the NHRC in January 2026 that no sleeper coach buses were registered in the state. However, such buses appear to be operating on Punjab roads, prompting Kanoongo to demand an explanation for how unregistered buses are running — and why Kejriwal was opposing their inspection.
What did Arvind Kejriwal say about the NHRC bus inspection?
Kejriwal posted on X that the NHRC had, for the first time in its history, conducted bus inspections — but only targeted Punjab's pilgrimage 'super deluxe' buses while ignoring buses from Uttar Pradesh and other states. He called the exercise selective and questioned the nature of deficiencies cited, such as driver-passenger partitions.
How large is the NHRC's nationwide unsafe bus removal campaign?
According to Kanoongo, the NHRC has been conducting the campaign for over a year and has had 1,000 non-standard buses either removed from operation or subjected to restrictive measures across India. He described the Punjab action as part of this wider drive, not a targeted move.
What are the potential consequences for the Punjab government?
The NHRC has formally written to the Punjab government seeking an explanation for the discrepancy between its January 2026 submission and the apparent operation of sleeper coach buses in the state. Failure to provide a satisfactory response could lead to a formal NHRC investigation with potential regulatory and legal consequences for bus operators and state transport officials.
