'Speculative Litigation': Kerala High Court Dismisses PIL Against Free-Bus Travel Scheme For Women, Transgender Persons
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (19 August) dismissed a Public Interest Litigation against Priyadarshini free-bus scheme as “speculative litigation” and lacking material linking accidents to overcrowding. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 457]
Priyadarschini scheme is a scheme launched by the State government which provides free travel for women and transgender persons in ordinary Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses.
The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M dismissed the petition.
“This is a speculative litigation intended to derail the Priyadarshini Bus Scheme introduced by the Government of Kerala to provide free travel facilities to women,” Court noted.
The petition was filed alleging that owing to overcrowding, the vehicles operated under the scheme have met with accidents.
The Court noted that the allegations are not corroborated by any documents.
“The accident may not necessarily have occurred due to overcrowding. In the absence of any corroborative material to substantiate the allegation that the bus accident occurred on account of overcrowding, we do not find any reason to entertain this Public Interest Litigation (PIL),” the Court observed.
The Court thus dismissed the writ petition while directing the Government to ensure passenger safety.
The Court had previously dismissed a public interest litigation challenging the constitutional validity scheme.
Case Title: Akhila P.R and Anr. v State of Kerala and Ors.
Case No: WP(PIL) 170/ 2026
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 457
Counsel for Petitioner: Dr. K.P. Satheesan (Sr.), P. Mohandas. K. Sidhinkumar, sabu Pullan, R. Bhaskara Krishnan, Shyamjith K Bayju
Counsel for Respondent: O.A. Nuriya (Sr. GP), B.S. Swathi Kumar (SC)