The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation(KSRTC) on Wednesday informed the Kerala High Court that woman passengers could not be restrained based on their age from travelling in buses operated as Sabarimala special services.
In an affidavit, the KSRTC said that disallowing woman passengers to travel on Sabarimala special buses on the basis of their age would amount to a clear violation of their fundamental rights.
In fact, it was for the Travancore Devaswom Board to take steps to restrict their entry on their premises in accordance with the law and custom, the affidavit added.
The affidavit was filed in response to a writ petition filed by the Centre for Consumer Federation, Pala, seeking to quash the order allowing standing passengers and woman passengers in Sabarimala special buses as well as in KSRTC super class services such as Fast Passenger, Super Fast, Super Express, Super Deluxe, Volvo, and other hi-tech buses.
The allegation of the petitioner was that the KSRTC was allowing women to travel in Sabarimala special services without considering their age.
It was against the customs and traditions, the petitioner added.
The KSRTC also pointed out that it was permitting standing passengers only in accordance with the provisions of the Kerala Motor Vehicles Rules.
The affidavit also denied the allegation that the Corporation was collecting excess fare on the Sabarimala route and pointed out that the fare was being collected in accordance with the law.
