A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Kerala High Court challenging the Priyadarshini Scheme, which provides free travel for women and transgender persons on ordinary Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses. The petitioner, Mohammed Firdous, a Kochi resident according to thestatesman.com, argues that the scheme violates Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution and imposes a financial burden on the state exchequer, estimating the cost at ₹2 crore per day and ₹800 crore annually. The petitioner contends that the scheme provides benefits regardless of economic status and that Article 15(3) cannot be invoked to justify a blanket subsidy for all women without identifying a specific disadvantage, according to livelaw.in. The petitioner also alleges the scheme was implemented possibly due to electoral promises, as reported by onmanorama.com, and was launched on June 15, 2026, according to wol.com. The PIL seeks a declaration that the scheme is unconstitutional, its immediate suspension, and directions for the state to undertake a comprehensive financial and social impact assessment, as well as disclosure of the estimated annual financial liability, source of funds, and projected impact on KSRTC, according to wol.com and thestatesman.com. The Division Bench hearing the case comprises Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M., according to livelaw.in. The Kerala High Court has reserved its orders on the PIL.