THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India, June 22 — The Kerala High Court on Monday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the constitutional validity of the state government’s Priyadarshini Scheme, which provides free travel for women and transgender persons on ordinary Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. delivered the verdict, observing that there was nothing on record to indicate that the government order implementing the scheme violated statutory norms or was illegal.
“There is nothing before us to show that the government order is contrary to statutory norms or is perverse or illegal. Hence, the litigation fails and is dismissed,” the Bench said.
The petitioner, Muhammed Firdouz, argued that the scheme violated the constitutional guarantees of equality and non-discrimination under Articles 14 and 15. He contended that affluent women were benefiting from free travel while economically disadvantaged male passengers continued to pay fares.
Earlier, on June 16, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra welcomed the launch of the Priyadarshini Scheme, saying the United Democratic Front (UDF) government had “turned an Indira Guarantee into reality.”
In a post on X, Vadra said the initiative represents more than a free bus pass and would provide women with greater mobility and independence.
“With ‘Priyadarshini,’ KSRTC’s free bus travel service for women, the Congress-led UDF government has turned an Indira Guarantee into reality. This is more than a bus pass. It is the freedom to travel, the confidence to pursue opportunities, and greater independence for women across Kerala. I congratulate the UDF government for fulfilling this promise and empowering countless women to dream bigger,” she wrote.
The Priyadarshini Scheme, a flagship welfare initiative of the state government, came into effect on June 15. It provides free travel for women and transgender persons on ordinary KSRTC services throughout the state.
The government expects the program to benefit a large number of daily commuters by reducing transportation costs and improving access to education, employment, and other opportunities.
State officials have described the initiative as a major welfare measure designed to strengthen social inclusion and promote the economic empowerment of beneficiaries.
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