Rajasthan Suspends Officials After Deadly Bus Fire Claims 21 Lives and Prompts Statewide Safety Inspection

The Rajasthan Transport Department has suspended two officials from Chittorgarh following the devastating Jaisalmer sleeper bus fire that claimed 21 lives. Acting District Transport Officer Surendra Singh and Assistant Administrative Officer Chunni Lal were removed from their positions for approving the body of the bus involved in the tragedy.

This disciplinary action came after Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma held a review meeting and directed the Transport Department to initiate a statewide inspection campaign. Early investigations have uncovered violations of the Bus Body Code, prompting authorities to scrutinize private buses throughout Rajasthan.

The first FIR related to the incident was filed Tuesday night at Jaisalmer Sadar Police Station by the brother of journalist Rajendra Chauhan, who perished in the fire. The complaint specifically names the bus owner and driver, alleging negligence as the cause of the deadly blaze.

The death toll increased to 21 after 10-year-old Yunus succumbed to severe burn injuries at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Jodhpur on Wednesday morning. Four additional patients remain on ventilator support. Medical authorities are conducting DNA testing at facilities in both Jodhpur and Jaisalmer to identify the badly charred remains of victims.

Family members have expressed frustration regarding the slow verification process, though hospital officials have assured them that identification procedures will be completed within 24 hours to ensure accuracy.

The Prime Minister's Relief Fund has allocated ₹2 lakh compensation for each deceased victim and ₹50,000 for the injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on social media platform X, stating, "My heart is saddened by the loss of life and property due to the accident in Jaisalmer."

Rajasthan Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar suggested that the fire likely originated from an air conditioner compressor explosion that ignited diesel and gas, fatally trapping passengers inside the bus which had only a single door. "Some people were reduced to ashes," the minister noted grimly.

Chief Minister Sharma subsequently visited the Army Cantonment in Jaisalmer where the burnt bus remains are being held, to personally examine the wreckage and better understand the magnitude of the tragedy.