RAJANI K.N. Vs. MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners are public spirited citizens. According to them, though repeated directions were issued in Ext.P1 judgment of this Court in State of Kerala v. Govindaswamy [2014 (1) KLD 596 (DB)] and Ext.P5 judgment of this Court dated 6.9.2005 passed in W.P(C) No.20297 of 2005, railways are having a lukewarm response. Due to lack of political will and institutional apathy coupled with lackadaisical attitude towards implementation of High Court orders, the harassment on women passengers continued unabated.

(2.) Based on the judgment dated 6.9.2005 passed in W.P(C) No.20297 of 2005, Cont. Case No.197 of 2011 is also filed before this Court and the same is also taken up for final hearing along with these writ petitions.

(3.) In effect, the petitioners seek directions to the respondents to come out with a comprehensive and practical scheme and package to assure safety, security and protection to women passengers who travel in ladies compartments in all the trains running not only throughout the State, but during the entire journey. The petitioners also prayed for a direction to the respondents to allot beat police at all stations where passenger trains pass by at night and early morning. The sum and substance of the petitioners' case is that the safety, security and protection of women passengers travelling in the trains are to be safeguarded.