A courtroom in Srinagar has turned its attention to what one petitioner calls a gap between policy and pavement.
The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has asked the Union Territory administration to respond to a public interest litigation alleging that mandated seat reservations and safety safeguards for women in public transport remain largely unimplemented.
The matter came up before a Bench led by Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal, which issued notice and fixed the case for further hearing in early March.
At the heart of the petition is a 2025 circular requiring seat reservations for women — one in every 12 seats in larger buses and one in every nine in mini-buses. According to the plea, these directives exist on paper but rarely translate into reality on the ground.
The petitioner, advocate Monisa Manzoor Mir, appearing in person, contended that enforcement mechanisms are virtually absent. Information obtained under the Right to Information Act from the Transport Commissioner and the Regional Transport Office in Kashmir allegedly reveals that no inspections have been conducted to verify compliance, nor have penalties been imposed for violations.
The plea also points to the absence of a dedicated public helpline for women commuters — a basic support system that, it argues, should accompany any meaningful safety framework.
To underscore the urgency, the petition cites survey data collected from 298 women at local educational institutions. An overwhelming 85.6% reported experiencing harassment or discomfort while travelling. Many were unaware of any formal complaint mechanism.
The filing draws comparisons with safety initiatives adopted in other Indian states, suggesting that similar structured interventions could be replicated in Jammu and Kashmir.
Following preliminary submissions, the Court sought the government’s stand on the allegations. The Union Territory’s counsel accepted notice in the matter.
For now, the question lingers beyond the courtroom: when safety is mandated by circular, who ensures it reaches the bus aisle?
