Bottle row: HC expresses shock at transfer of KSRTC driver

While taking note of the alleged lack of alternative places to keep water bottles near the driver’s seat in the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses, the Kerala High Court expressed shock at the recent transfer of Jaimon Joseph, the driver of a Fast Passenger bus, as part of ‘disciplinary action’ for keeping a pair of water bottles on the dashboard of the bus.

The court made the observation on Thursday while considering a plea by the driver challenging his transfer from a depot in Kottayam to one in Thrissur, after Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar intercepted the bus he was driving and directed action against him for keeping two water bottles on the dashboard of the bus. He said he was carrying the two bottles of water to drink during the 210 km trip and that there was no alternative space within the driver’s cabin to place the bottles. In an affidavit, the KSRTC contended on Wednesday that a circular had been issued in 2024, curbing such practices.

While considering the issue, a Bench of Justice N. Nagaresh asked the KSRTC whether there was any justification for the transfer. It orally observed how the bottle contained drinking water and not alcohol. There must be some reason or public interest for transferring a person. It added that the work culture in the corporation ought to change.

The driver also contended that he had kept ready the two water bottles for use during the Poonkunnam-Thiruvananthapuram trip to avoid inconvenience to passengers by stopping at depots to drink water. Countering the KSRTC’s claim on the circular, he said it was about Super Deluxe services alone and hence was not binding on Fast Passenger buses.