Advocate Moves Kerala High Court Challenging 'No Vehicle Wednesdays' In Lakshadweep

An advocate practicing in Lakshadweep and Ernakulam has approached the Kerala High Court challenging a recent order of the Lakshadweep Administration declaring every Wednesday as a “No Vehicle Day” across the Union Territory.The petitioner, who is a resident of Kalpeni island in Lakshadweep has challenged the Order dated February 17, 2026 issued by the District Collector, which prohibits the plying of motor vehicles on all islands every Wednesday with effect from February 25, 2026.Under the directive, only vehicles used by persons with disabilities and those deployed for security and emergency medical purposes are exempted. Violations attract a fine of ₹500.The petitioner has filed the writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution, seeking to quash the order and declare it unconstitutional. He contends that the blanket weekly ban violates fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 19(1)(d), 19(1)(g), and 21 of the Constitution.According to the administration, the measure aims to promote public health by encouraging walking and cycling and to reduce vehicular emissions in the islands.“The State cannot compel its citizens to adopt a particular mode of transportation such as walking or cycling, purportedly to promote health, by prohibiting the plying of motor vehicles. Such coercive interference amounts to an unjustified intrusion upon the personal liberty and freedom of movement of citizens. Moreover, the stated objective of promoting health bears no reasonable or rational nexus to the sweeping restriction imposed by the impugned order, rendering the same arbitrary and unsustainable in law,” the writ petition states.The petitioner further contends that the order disproportionately interferes with his professional obligations, which require frequent travel between Kerala and Lakshadweep and among various islands within the archipelago.The petition also raises practical concerns regarding passengers arriving by ships and flights on Wednesdays. Given that sea transport is the primary mode of connectivity to the islands, travellers, including patients, students, elderly persons and tourists, may face significant hardship in reaching their destinations from jetties.Additionally, the petitioner submits that essential goods transported by ships and speed vessels could remain stranded at jetties due to the prohibition, disrupting supply chains and affecting availability of daily necessities.The petitioner claims there is no empirical material on record to justify concerns about vehicular pollution warranting such a sweeping restriction.The petitioner has sought a writ of certiorari to quash the February 17 order and a declaration that the weekly vehicular ban is unconstitutional. An interim stay of the order has also been requested pending final adjudication.Case Title: Ajmal Khan C P v Union Territory of LakshadweepCase No: WP(C) 6681/ 2026 (Filing No)Counsel for Petitioner: Ruben Geroge Rock, C N Noorul Hidaya, Aslam K K, Thressy Thomas

Advocate Moves Kerala High Court Challenging 'No Vehicle Wednesdays' In Lakshadweep

Anamika MJ

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