Court directs Transport Commissioner to earmark seats for women, launch awareness drives and establish complaint-redressal mechanism
Srinagar, Aug 14 : The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has issued a series of directions aimed at strengthening the safety, dignity and comfort of women commuters in public transport, including mandatory identification of reserved seats, awareness programmes for transport staff and a dedicated mechanism for lodging and redressing complaints.
As per news agency, the Hon’ble High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, in the case of Monisa Manzoor Mir … Petitioner/Appellant(s) versus Union Territory of J&K through Chief Secretary to Government and Others … Respondent(s), has issued directions aimed at ensuring the safety and comfort of women commuters using public transport.
The matter was heard by the Division Bench comprising Hon’ble the Chief Justice (Acting), Justice Sanjeev Kumar, and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Mohd Yousuf Wani, Judge.
The petitioner/appellant was represented by Ms. Monisa Manzoor, Advocate, while the respondents were represented by Mr. Mohsin S. Qadri, Sr. AAG, with Ms. Maha Majeed, Assisting Counsel.
Having regard to the nature of the controversy involved, the Hon’ble Court issued the following directions to ensure the safety and comfort of women commuters in public transport, Reserved seats for women: The Transport Commissioner shall ensure that, in line with Circular No. 3 TC/2025, seats 1 to 12 in large buses and seats 1 to 9 in mini buses are properly identified and reserved for women. It shall also ensure that, in each public transport vehicle, these seats carry the words “Reserved for Ladies” in bold letters.
Awareness programmes: The J&K Legal Services Authority shall conduct awareness programmes, particularly involving the drivers and helpers of public transport, to sensitise them about their role in ensuring that women get their earmarked seats in public transport. The Authority has also been directed to create awareness about Circular No. 3 TC/2025 through other modes, including print and electronic media.
Complaint and redressal mechanism: The Department of Transport and the Traffic Police shall sit together and put in place a mechanism for lodging complaints by aggrieved women and establish a mechanism for their redressal.
The Hon’ble Court directed that the order be conveyed to the authorities concerned for taking immediate steps and for reporting compliance on the next date of hearing.
The matter has been directed to be listed on 06.10.2026.
The order was pronounced on 10.08.2026 by Hon’ble Judge Mohd Yousuf Wani, Sanjeev Kumar,
Chief Justice Acting.
