J&K&L High Court Directs Strict Implementation Of Women's Seat Reservation In Public Transport, Orders Awareness Drives
The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has issued a series of directions to ensure the safety and comfort of women commuters in public transport, including the proper identification and reservation of seats for women, awareness programmes for drivers and helpers, and the establishment of a mechanism for lodging and redressing complaints by aggrieved women.
These directions came while hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by advocate Monisa Manzoor Mir, highlighting the alleged non-implementation of mandatory seat reservation and safety measures for women in public transport across the Union Territory.
A Bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Kumar and Justice Mohd Yousuf Wani, while issuing the directions, observed that the Transport Commissioner shall ensure that seats 1 to 12 in large buses and 1 to 9 in mini buses are properly identified and reserved for women. The Court further directed that each public transport vehicle must have in bold letters written on these seats "Reserved for Ladies".
The Court observed,
"The Transport Commissioner shall ensure that, in line with circular No. 3 TC/2025, seats 1 to 12 in large buses and 1 to 9 in mini buses are properly identified and reserved for women. It shall ensure that, each public transport vehicle has in bold letters written on these seats 'Reserved for Ladies'."
Background
The petitioner, advocate Monisa Manzoor Mir, filed the Public Interest Litigation seeking enforcement of mandatory seat reservation and safety measures for women in public transport across the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. The PIL highlighted the alleged non-implementation of existing provisions and circulars meant to ensure the safety and comfort of women commuters.
On February 20, 2026, the High Court had issued notice to the Union Territory on the PIL, seeking its response to the allegations of non-implementation of women's seat reservation and safety measures in public transport. The matter was thereafter listed for further hearing.
During the proceedings on August 10, 2026, the Court took cognizance of the safety concerns of women commuters and proceeded to issue specific directions to the authorities concerned.
Court's Observation
The High Court, having regard to the nature of the controversy involved, issued a set of comprehensive directions to ensure the safety and comfort of women commuters in public transport.
The Court directed the Transport Commissioner to ensure strict compliance with circular No. 3 TC/2025, which provides for reservation of seats 1 to 12 in large buses and 1 to 9 in mini buses for women. The Court further directed that these seats must be properly identified and that each public transport vehicle should have the words "Reserved for Ladies" written in bold letters on these seats.
The Court also directed the J&K Legal Services Authority to conduct awareness programmes, particularly involving the drivers and helpers of public transport, to sensitise them about their role in ensuring that women get their earmarked seats in public transport. The Court observed that the authority should create awareness about circular No. 3 TC/2025 and the penal provisions for its violation.
The Court further directed,
"The Department of Transport and the Traffic Police shall sit together and put in place the mechanism for lodging of complaints by the aggrieved women and their redressal mechanism."
The Court ordered that the directions be conveyed to the authorities concerned for taking immediate steps, and directed them to report compliance on the next date of hearing.
The Court listed the matter for further hearing on October 6, 2026, for compliance reporting.
Case Title: Monisa Manzoor Mir v. Union Territory of J and K Th. Chief Secretary to Govt and Others
Appearances
Petitioner: Ms. Monisa Manzoor, Advocate (Petitioner-in-person)
Respondents: Mr. Mohsin S. Qadri, Sr. AAG with Ms. Maha Majeed, Assisting Counsel