PIL in J&K High Court to implement seat reservation for women in public transport

The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has sought the Jammu and Kashmir government's response to a public interest litigation (PIL) plea highlighting an alleged systemic failure to properly implement safety measures and mandatory seat reservation for women in public transport [Monisa Manzoor Mir V/s UT of J&K].

The Bench of Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal issued notice in the matter on February 16. The case will be heard next on March 4.

The plea before the Court was filed by a lawyer, advocate Monisa Manzoor Mir, who contended that measures put in place to protect women's safety on public transport have remained on paper.

She noted that a circular issued in 2025 mandates the reservation of seats for women in buses, at a ratio of 1–12 in large buses and 1–9 in mini-buses. However, there is no meaningful implementation of this circular, the petitioner told the Court.

The petitioner added that, going by information obtained under the Right to Information Act from the Transport Commissioner and the Regional Transport Office, Kashmir, no inspections have been carried out to see if such measures are enforced, nor any action taken against those who fail to implement such steps.

No established public helpline exists either for women commuters, the Court was told.

Among other submissions, the petitioner also relied on data collected from 298 women at local educational institutions to highlight that 85.6 per cent of such women reported experiencing harassment or discomfort during travel. A majority of these women were unaware of any complaint mechanism, the plea added.

Reference was also made to initiatives adopted in several other States to enhance women's safety on public transport.

After hearing these preliminary submissions, the Court sought the Jammu and Kashmir government's response in the matter.

Government Advocate Illyas Nazir Laway accepted notice on behalf of the Union Territory.

The petitioner, Monisa Manzoor Mir, appeared as party in person.

[Read Order]