The Kerala High Court has dismissed a public interest litigation challenging the State government’s recently introduced “Priyadarshini Scheme”, which provides free travel to women and transgender persons in ordinary services operated by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC). A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. declined to interfere with the Government Order introducing the welfare measure.

The PIL sought the quashing of the Government Order establishing the scheme. The petitioner questioned the legality and validity of extending free travel benefits exclusively to women and transgender persons through KSRTC’s ordinary bus services.

After hearing the matter, the Division Bench dismissed the petition and refused to strike down the scheme. With the dismissal of the PIL, the State government’s decision to provide free bus travel to women and transgender persons under the Priyadarshini Scheme remains in force.