Kerala High Court: Priyadarshini Scheme PIL Dismissed Over Lack of Evidence

• The Kerala High Court dismissed a PIL alleging overcrowding in KSRTC buses due to free travel for women.
• The court found that the petitioners failed to provide any corroborative material to support their claim.
• The Priyadarshini Scheme remains in place, but the court emphasized the importance of ensuring passenger safety.
• Lawyers advising clients on compliance with the scheme should note that the court's decision does not necessarily mean that the scheme is free from criticism or controversy.

However, the Government must ensure that the safety of passengers travelling in the buses is adequately safeguarded.

A public interest litigation (PIL) was dismissed by the Kerala High Court on Tuesday, which alleged that the Priyadarshini Scheme's provision of free bus travel to women and transgender persons in ordinary KSRTC buses had led to overcrowding. The PIL claimed that this overcrowding resulted in accidents involving vehicles operated under the scheme. However, the court found that the petitioners failed to provide any corroborative material to support their claim.

The Priyadarshini Scheme was introduced by the Kerala government to provide free travel facilities to women in ordinary KSRTC buses. The scheme has been in operation for some time, and its impact on bus safety has been a subject of discussion. The PIL that was dismissed was one of several attempts to challenge the scheme's implementation. In dismissing the PIL, the court emphasized the importance of ensuring passenger safety while operating under the scheme.

The dismissal of the PIL does not necessarily mean that the Priyadarshini Scheme is free from criticism or controversy. However, it does suggest that the court has given due consideration to the government's efforts to provide free bus travel to women and transgender persons. The scheme remains in place, but the court's emphasis on passenger safety serves as a reminder for all stakeholders involved to ensure that the buses operated under the scheme are safe for passengers.

Lawyers advising clients on compliance with the Priyadarshini Scheme should note that the Kerala High Court has dismissed a PIL alleging overcrowding in KSRTC buses, but still emphasized the importance of ensuring passenger safety.

Source: Original reporting via The New Indian Express