PIL for announcements on buses to aid persons with disabilities: Karnataka High Court seeks State response

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday urged State authorities to respond to a plea highlighting the difficulties faced by persons with disabilities in using public buses without audio announcements about upcoming stops. [N Shreyas v. The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation].The public interest litigation (PIL) before the High Court was filed by a lawyer, N Shreyas, who himself has visual impairments.He appeared in person before the Court on Tuesday and informed the Bench of Chief Justice PB Varale and Justice Krishna S Dixit that the audio system that used to be attached to BMTC buses is no longer functional..He pointed out that if a system is implemented to announce stops in buses, it would not only help blind people, but also others who may not know the local language (Kannada). This system was earlier part of BMTC buses, but was stopped for reasons best known to the authorities, he said.He noted that it may be easier to use private transport services such OLA or UBER taxis, where the assistance of the driver or Google Maps may help a visually impaired person in knowing about where they are going. However, there are many who have to depend on buses for their commute, he added..The Court expressed that it was sorry to note that the government was yet to file its response in the matter, even though notice was issued in the PIL over a year back, in August 2022.“There cannot be any dispute that this petition raises a very important issue and the respondent authorities cannot treat this petition as an adversary litigation but the petition needs to be responded to by the respondents as a social responsibility…We hope and trust that the respondents will come with a proper, positive and effective response to redress the grievances faced by the petitioner and like persons for a safe and comfortable commute or journey and we’ll be happy if the State government comes out with some other suggestions and stands as a role model to other states,” the Court added..Interestingly, the Court also asked the government to embrace the spirit advocated by legal luminary Nani Palkhivala in his letter to Soli Sorabjee when the latter was appointed Attorney General for India."The greatest glory of the Attorney General is not to win cases for the government but to ensure that justice is done to the people," Palkhivala had said in his 1989 letter.Palkivala further noted that this sentiment was reflected in the following motto of the United States Justice Department, as carved in the US Attorney General's office:"The United States wins its case whenever justice is done to one of its citizens in the courts.".Similarly, the High Court also urged the State to proactively respond to the concerns raised in the PIL.The matter is likely to be heard next on October 9.