SRINAGAR: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has directed the J&K Transport Department to strictly enforce the reservation of seats for women in public transport and ensure that the earmarked seats are clearly identified in buses across the Union Territory.
A Division Bench comprising the Acting Chief Justice and Justice Mohd Yousuf Wani passed the directions on August 10, 2026, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation, WP(C)PIL 1/2026, filed by advocate Monisa Manzoor Mir.
The court said its directions were intended to ensure “the safety and comfort of the women commuters in the public transport”.
Under the order, the Transport Commissioner has been directed to ensure implementation of Circular No. 3 TC/2025, which provides for reservation of seats 1 to 12 in large buses and seats 1 to 9 in mini buses for women.
The court has further directed that the earmarked seats be clearly marked in bold letters with the words “Reserved for Ladies”, making it easier for women commuters to identify the seats and for transport staff and passengers to recognise the reservation.
The court also assigned a role to the J&K Legal Services Authority, directing it to conduct awareness programmes, particularly for drivers and helpers of public transport vehicles. The programmes are intended to sensitise transport staff about their responsibility in ensuring that women can occupy their designated seats.
The Legal Services Authority has also been asked to publicise Circular No. 3 TC/2025 through other means, including print and electronic media, so that commuters are aware of the provision.
In another significant direction, the court asked the Department of Transport and the Traffic Police to jointly establish a mechanism through which women facing violations or other difficulties in public transport can lodge complaints and have them addressed.
The court directed the authorities to take “immediate steps” and submit a report on compliance before the next date of hearing. The matter has been listed for October 6, 2026.
The PIL was filed by Monisa Manzoor Mir, who appeared in person as counsel for the petitioner. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and other respondents were represented by Senior Additional Advocate General Mohsin S. Qadri, assisted by advocate Maha Majeed.
The directions come against the backdrop of continuing concerns over the accessibility, safety and dignity of women using public transport. While the Transport Department had already issued Circular No. 3 TC/2025 prescribing designated seating for women, the High Court’s order seeks to translate the provision into a visibly enforceable arrangement inside public transport vehicles.
The court’s directions therefore go beyond merely reiterating the existing seating provision. By requiring physical identification of the seats, sensitisation of drivers and helpers, public awareness and a formal complaint-redressal mechanism, the order places responsibility on multiple agencies to ensure that the reservation is actually implemented.
The authorities will now have to report the steps taken to comply with the directions when the case comes up for hearing on October 6.
