The Chhattisgarh High Court recently heard a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) highlighting the operation of passenger buses and stage carriages without licensed conductors.
The petitioner sought directions from the court to ensure that all registered passenger buses and stage carriages operating in the state have licensed conductors on board.
The court heard arguments from both the petitioner’s counsel, Rishabh Bisen, and the state’s counsel, Y S Thakur, Additional Advocate General.
The petitioner emphasized the importance of having licensed conductors on board, citing the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, and the Central Motor Vehicle Rule, 1989.
The petitioner argued that no one else can act as a conductor except a licensed conductor, and that the number of licensed conductors is insufficient compared to the number of registered passenger buses and stage carriages.
The court acknowledged the seriousness of the issue and granted four weeks to the state counsel to file a reply.
The petitioner was also given two weeks to file a rejoinder, if any.
The matter was listed for hearing after six weeks.