Monisa Manzoor Mir vs U.T. Of J&K & Ors on 16 February, 2026

Jammu & Kashmir High Court – Srinagar Bench

Monisa Manzoor Mir vs U.T. Of J&K & Ors on 16 February, 2026

Author: Rajnesh Oswal

Bench: Rajnesh Oswal

                                                                Sr. No. 3
        HIGH COURT OF JAMMU & KASHMIR AND LADAKH
                       AT SRINAGAR
                         (THROUGH VIRTUAL MODE)

CJ Court
                          Case: WP(C)PIL No. 1/2026
Monisa Manzoor Mir                                  ...Petitioner(s)/Appellant(s)

                     Through: Ms. Monisa Manzoor Mir, Advocate.

                               V/s

U.T. of J&K & Ors.                                            .... Respondent(s)

                    Through: Mr. Illyas Nazir Laway, GA.

CORAM: HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE
       HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJNESH OSWAL, JUDGE.

                               ORDER

16.02.2026

01. Petitioner, who is an Advocate by profession, has approached this Court in

Public Interest. And, underscores the systemic failure in implementing the safety

measures and seat reservation for women in public transport, with reference to

Article 15(3), Article 21 and Article 38(1) of the Constitution as also the

Circular 3/TC/2025 (Mandating reservation of seats 1-12 in large buses and 1-

9 in mini-buses).

02. She submits that vide Circular dated January 07, 2025, the Transport

Department had issued a mandate for reserved seating, whereas the material

placed on record only shows its ostensible existence. With no implementation on

ground. Further, the information obtained from the Transport Commissioner and

RTO Kashmir, under RTI, reveals that no actual inspections, penal actions, have

been taken against the violators and there does not exist any established public

helpline. Albeit, RTO Flying Squads claimed to have been constituted but no

tangible material exists or was provided showing its ground level enforcement.

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Rather, a bare analysis of the response received from the Office of the Deputy

Commissioner as also the Traffic Police shows that they have actually shifted the

responsibility to the Department of Transport, indicating a lack of inter-

departmental coordination. She asserts that data collected from 298 women at the

Local Educational Institutions revealed that 85.6% of them experienced

harassment or discomfort and, in fact, majority was even unaware of any existing

complaint mechanism. To the contrary, it is urged that States like Delhi,

Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have successfully implemented ‘Pink

Tickets’, ‘Tejswani Buses’ and ‘Shakti Schemes’, through administrative

intent, crystallizing that legislative amendment to the Motor Vehicles Act, is not

a pre-requisite for safety reforms.

03. Notice to the respondents.

04. Mr. Illyas Nazir Laway, learned Government Advocate, accepts notice on

behalf of respondents. At the outset, he prays for a short accommodation to seeks

instructions and/or submit response.

05. Adjourned to March 04, 2026.

                                                  (RAJNESH OSWAL)        (ARUN PALLI)
                                                            JUDGE        CHIEF JUSTICE
           Jammu
           16.02.2026
           Sunita




SUNITA KOUL
2026.02.18 15:46                                                                    Page 2 of 2
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