Manoharpur Bus Inferno: NHRC Takes Up Case Suo Motu, Calls for Accountability in Rajasthan Tragedy
(By Syed Ali Taher Abedi)
New Delhi: 17th November 2025 the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken Suo motu cognizance of a tragic incident in Rajasthan’s Manoharpur village, where a private bus caught fire after coming into contact with an overhead high‑tension wire. The accident reportedly led to the death of two persons and left ten others injured, raising serious concerns about passenger safety and regulatory oversight.
Acting on media reports, the Commission has issued formal notices to the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan and the Director General of Police (DGP), directing them to submit a comprehensive report within two weeks. The NHRC has sought details on the circumstances leading to the accident, the condition of the victims, and the measures taken by the authorities to prevent recurrence of such tragedies.
According to preliminary information, the bus was severely overloaded, carrying nearly 50 labourers who were travelling from Pilibhit district in Uttar Pradesh to work at a brick kiln in Rajasthan. The Commission has underlined that such overloading not only violates transport safety norms but also exposes vulnerable migrant workers to grave risks.
By intervening in the matter, the NHRC has signaled its concern over the systemic issues of road safety, enforcement of transport regulations, and protection of labourers’ rights, emphasizing that accountability must be fixed and remedial measures ensured.
A private bus carrying over 50 labourers caught fire after touching an overhead 11 KV power cable resulting in the death of two of them and injuries to ten others. The incident happened near Manoharpur village on the Jaipur-Delhi highway on 29th October 2025. The labourers were travelling from Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh to a brick kiln in Rajasthan.
According to the media report, carried on 29th October 2025, the bus was crossing an internal road near the village at the time of the incident. Household goods and gas cylinders kept on the roof of the overcrowded bus touched the live wire.
