The Supreme Court has dismissed a PIL addressing overcrowded buses, stating that regulating passenger safety falls under the state’s policy domain. Citizens are urged to approach the government directly to address this pressing public safety concern.
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NEW DELHI: On Thursday, the Supreme Court of India dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) that raised serious concerns over the overcrowding of passenger buses, both public and private. The case brought to light a pressing issue: the alarming loss of lives each year due to buses operating beyond their capacity.
The petitioner had urged the court to take action against the unchecked overloading practices of transport departments and private operators, emphasizing that millions of lives are at stake annually.
However, a bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran made it clear that the judiciary is not the appropriate forum for every policy issue. CJI Gavai noted:
“Go and make a representation to the government. There are other organs of the Constitution which are functioning. For everything you can’t come to the Court.”
The court underscored that matters like regulating bus capacities fall within the policy domain of the State, and it is not inclined to interfere in executive or legislative policy decisions.
