The Kerala High Court is currently reviewing the disciplinary transfer of a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) driver, Jaimon Joseph.
The transfer followed an incident where Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar observed two water bottles on the dashboard of Joseph’s Fast Passenger bus and reportedly directed action. Joseph, who was reassigned from a Kottayam depot to one in Thrissur, has challenged this decision in court.
In his plea, the driver contended that the bottles were for his consumption during a 210 km journey, emphasizing the alleged lack of alternative storage within the driver’s cabin. He further argued that stopping for water would inconvenience passengers. Joseph also asserted that a 2024 KSRTC circular, cited by the corporation to curb such practices, applied exclusively to Super Deluxe services and was therefore not binding on Fast Passenger buses.
During the proceedings, the High Court orally questioned the justification for the transfer, noting the bottles contained drinking water, not alcohol, and expressed shock at the disciplinary measure.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/bottle-row-hc-expresses-shock-at-transfer-of-ksrtc-driver/article70172291.ece