The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a conditional summons to the Chief Secretary, Government of Punjab, over what it termed 'serious safety violations' in buses operating under the state's Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana, following a deadly head-on collision in Tarn Taran district on 14 November 2026. The summons was issued by a Bench presided over by NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo.

The Tarn Taran Tragedy

Five people were killed and 16 others injured after two pilgrim buses collided head-on on the Tarn Taran-Bathinda National Highway near Naushehra Pannuan village in Punjab's Tarn Taran district. Both buses were operating under the state government's pilgrimage welfare scheme. The NHRC, in its statement, cited a figure of four reported deaths and around 30 injuries in its own proceedings — a discrepancy attributed to the evolving nature of the reports received by the Commission.

NHRC's Prior Warnings Went Unheeded

The Commission noted that the Tarn Taran accident was not an isolated failure but the culmination of a pattern it had repeatedly flagged. In earlier proceedings, the NHRC had raised concerns over recurring fatal accidents involving passenger and sleeper buses, structural deficiencies, and violations of CIRT guidelines, calling for urgent preventive measures.

A complaint by the Network for Access to Justice and Multidisciplinary Outreach Foundation had specifically highlighted buses deployed under the Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana, citing alleged unauthorised structural modifications, obstruction of emergency exits, and deficiencies in fire safety and emergency evacuation arrangements.

The NHRC had directed the Punjab government to inspect all buses under the scheme and immediately withdraw those failing mandatory safety standards. 'However, the state government failed to demonstrate effective action on these directions,' the Commission stated.

Non-Compliance at the Heart of the Summons

The NHRC's sharpest rebuke was reserved for the state's administrative inaction. Despite specific and time-bound directions, the Chief Secretary had not submitted the required Action Taken Report. 'No report indicating the inspections conducted, safety deficiencies identified, corrective measures undertaken or accountability fixed has been received from the State Government till date,' the Commission said.

Deploring what it called the 'lackadaisical approach of the authorities', the NHRC directed the Chief Secretary to personally appear before the Commission if comprehensive reports are not submitted by the stipulated deadline. The Commission has demanded details on bus inspections, safety compliance, corrective action against non-compliant vehicles, and a full account of the 14 November 2026 accident.

State's Accountability Under Scrutiny

The NHRC underscored that welfare schemes sponsored by the government carry an inherent duty of care, particularly toward senior citizens and vulnerable persons who form the primary beneficiary group of the Tirth Yatra scheme. 'Such schemes cannot be implemented at the cost of human life, and compliance with mandatory vehicle safety standards cannot be reduced to a mere procedural formality,' the Commission observed.

This comes amid broader national concern over road safety on state highways, where pilgrim and tourist bus operations have faced recurring scrutiny over ageing fleets and lax enforcement. The Punjab government is yet to issue a formal response to the NHRC summons.