Jodhpur, November 4 - Taking a grim note of the rising number of fatal road accidents in Rajasthan, the Rajasthan High Court at Jodhpur on Tuesday initiated a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) titled “In Re: Tackling the Issue of Road and Public Safety.” The division bench of Justice Dr. Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Anuroop Singhi expressed deep concern over the “recurring loss of human lives” and criticized what it called the growing “institutional apathy” towards public safety.
The court’s move follows distressing reports in major newspapers, including Rajasthan Patrika, Dainik Bhaskar and Dainik Navjyoti, which revealed that nearly 100 people had died in various accidents within just two weeks.
Background
The matter originally came to the bench’s attention through a single incident. However, after reviewing the string of recent tragedies, the judges said it was impossible to overlook the broader pattern of neglect.
“The Court cannot remain a passive spectator,” the bench remarked, “when such avoidable incidents continue to erode the fundamental right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.”
The judges noted that despite India’s heavy investment in human resources, there remains “a disturbing insensitivity” among citizens and authorities alike when it comes to road discipline, safety mechanisms, and regulatory enforcement.
Several newspaper excerpts quoted in the order described horrifying details - overturned buses, burning vehicles, and victims trapped in wreckage. In one chilling case from Chittorgarh, 14 people, including children, died after a trailer rammed into a bus stopped on a highway.
Court’s Observations
The bench observed that death is inevitable, but “the misery caused by untimely death is not only an irreparable loss to the family but also a direct diminution of the nation’s collective strength.”
Justice Bhati pointed out that the matter is not about one road, one vehicle, or one driver - “it’s about the systemic failure to treat public safety as a national priority.”
“The growing insensitivity of regulatory bodies and road users has become a malaise,” the court observed, urging state authorities to wake up from their “slumber of indifference.”
The judges also highlighted that while a PIL cannot alone solve the problem, it can at least “shake the conscience of the administration” to respond with urgency.
Directions and Next Steps
To ensure a coordinated response, the court directed the Union of India, the State of Rajasthan, and several key departments - including Health, Transport, Public Works, Revenue, and Local Bodies - to file detailed preliminary responses. Each department must outline specific measures for preventing fatal accidents and strengthening road safety regulations.
Senior government lawyers such as Mr. Bharat Vyas (ASG), Mr. Rajesh Panwar (AAG), Mr. N.S. Rajpurohit (AAG), and Mr. B.L. Bhati (AAG) have been instructed to represent their respective departments and submit reports by November 13, 2025.
Additionally, the court appointed a team of five amicus curiae - Mr. Manvendra Singh Bhati, Mr. Sheetal Kumbhat, Ms. Aditi Moad, Ms. Heli Pathak, and Ms. Taniya Mehta - to assist the bench and prepare a joint statement suggesting actionable steps for improving road and public safety.
Court's Decision
In its concluding order, the High Court registered the matter as a suo motu PIL and scheduled the next hearing for November 13, 2025. The bench also directed that copies of the order be sent to all counsels and departments concerned.
Expressing condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, the judges said the issue now demanded a “national-level awakening.”
“The loss of a hundred lives in a fortnight is not an accident of fate,” the bench remarked. “It is a failure of vigilance, and a reminder that the right to life demands more than words - it demands action.”
Case Title: Suo Motu – In Re: Tackling the Issue of Road and Public Safety
