'No evidence to support allegations, Priyadarshini scheme can continue'; High Court rejects PIL

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the free travel scheme for women in KSRTC ordinary buses, named ‘Priyadarshini’. The court said that the petitioner failed to prove that the scheme was unconstitutional and allowed the scheme to continue. The order was issued by a Division Bench of the High Court.

The petition, which came up for consideration before the court on the previous day, was kept for judgment today. The petitioner had argued that the scheme was an election promise introduced for political gains. The plea also alleged that providing free travel only to women amounted to gender-based discrimination by the government.

The petitioner had requested the court to cancel the scheme, claiming that it was being implemented using public tax money in an unconstitutional manner. The petitioner also sought a stay on further steps related to the scheme until the case was decided. However, the court questioned the argument, asking why a government promise that had been fulfilled should be stopped. The court observed that the allegations raised by the petitioner could not be proven and dismissed the plea.