The Delhi High Court slammed the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) in a scathing rebuke, calling the appointment of a colour-blind driver "appalling" and a "serious dereliction of duty."
For three years, 2008 to 2011, this individual navigated the bustling streets of Delhi behind the wheel of a city bus, raising concerns about public safety due to his inability to distinguish between crucial traffic signals.
Justice Chandra Dhari Singh, visibly "disheartened" by the "negligence" of the DTC, questioned the circumstances of the driver's appointment and the corporation's reliance on a "flawed" medical certificate from Guru Nanak Hospital. This stood in stark contrast to the assessment by its own medical department.
"It's a 'sorry state of affairs' that it took the DTC until 2013 to establish a proper medical board," the judge remarked.
"This court wants to know why and how the DTC jeopardized public safety through such reckless actions," the order stated.
The court's ire extended beyond the driver's case, questioning the appointment of other colour-blind individuals based on Guru Nanak Eye Centre's reports.
This systemic lapse, the judge asserted, was a "wrongful action" and demanded immediate corrective measures.
The DTC, now under the scorching spotlight, faces the heat of a thorough investigation.
Justice Singh has directed the chairperson to submit a personal affidavit detailing the circumstances of the driver's appointment and identifying the responsible officer.
