Kerala High Court Dismisses PIL Against Free Bus Travel For Women, Transgender Persons

The Kerala High Court on Monday (22 June) dismissed a Public Interest Litigation challenging the constitutional validity of the State Government's recently launched "Priyadarshini Scheme," which provides free travel for women and transgender persons in ordinary Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 336]

The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M delivered the judgment. 

“There is nothing before us that Exhibit P1 G.O is contrary to the statutory norms or is perverse or illegal. Hence the litigation fails and it is dismissed," the Court pronounced. 

The petitioner had argued that the scheme violates the constitutional guarantees of equality and non-discrimination under Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution. It was argued that the benefit is available regardless of economic status, allowing affluent women to travel free while economically weaker male passengers continue to pay fares.

The petitioner had also argued that Article 15(3), which permits special provisions for women and children, cannot be invoked to justify a blanket subsidy for all women without identifying a specific disadvantage or welfare objective.

The State on the other hand submitted that similar travel schemes are available in different parts of the country and contended that gender-based affirmative action has been affirmed by the Apex Court. 

In a hearing last week, the High Court had orally asked whether few affluent beneficiaries could sink the entire scheme.

(a detailed order is awaited)

Case Title: Muhammed Firdouz v The State of Kerala and Ors

Case No: WP(PIL) 122/ 2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 336

Counsel for Petitioner: M.P. Shameem Ahamed, Ahamed Iqbal, Shabnam Kodalil

Counsel for Respondent: B.S. Swathi Kumar