SRINAGAR: The High Court of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh on Monday issued notice to the Union Territory administration on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) alleging systemic failure in implementing mandated safety measures and reserved seating for women in public transport across Kashmir.
The PIL, registered as WP(C)PIL No. 1/2026, has been filed by advocate Monisa Manzoor Mir. The matter was heard by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal.
In her petition, the petitioner has invoked Articles 15(3), 21 and 38(1) of the Constitution, contending that the authorities have failed to enforce Circular No. 3/TC/2025 dated January 7, 2025, issued by the Transport Department. The circular mandates the reservation of seats numbered 1 to 12 in large buses and 1 to 9 in mini-buses for women.
The petitioner submitted that while the circular exists on record, there has been no effective implementation on the ground. She referred to information obtained under the Right to Information Act from the Transport Commissioner and the Regional Transport Office (RTO), Kashmir, which, according to the plea, indicates that no inspections or penal actions have been taken against violators. The petition further states that no functional public helpline mechanism has been established.
Although RTO Flying Squads were reportedly constituted, the petitioner claimed that no material was furnished to demonstrate actual enforcement at the ground level.
The petition also alleges a lack of interdepartmental coordination. Responses received from the Office of the Deputy Commissioner and the Traffic Police, it states, reflect that responsibility has been shifted to the Transport Department.
Citing data collected from 298 women at local educational institutions, the petitioner submitted that 85.6 per cent of respondents reported experiencing harassment or discomfort in public transport, and that a majority were unaware of any complaint redressal mechanism.
The plea also refers to measures adopted in other States, including Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, such as “Pink Tickets”, “Tejaswini Buses” and “Shakti Schemes”, to contend that administrative action, rather than legislative amendment to the Motor Vehicles Act, is sufficient to implement safety reforms.
Upon hearing the matter, the Bench issued notice to the respondents. Government Advocate Illyas Nazir Laway accepted notice on behalf of the respondents and sought short accommodation to seek instructions and file a response.
The matter has been adjourned to March 4, 2026.
