Apex Court Trashes Petition Alleging That Malappuram In Kerala Was Denied Vande Bharat Train Stop Due To Political Reasons

The Supreme Court today dismissed a Special Leave Petition filed challenging the order of the Kerala High Court which had refused to entertain a Public Interest Litigation alleging that the action of not providing the stoppage for the 'Vande Bharat Train Service' at Tirur Railway Station in Malappuram District, Kerala was due to political reasons.

The Bench of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice Manoj Misra refused to entertain the SLP and observed that the matter relates to the policy decision of the Government and the interference by the Court is not warranted. The Bench also remarked, "You want us to decide the train stops now? Now do we also take a call on stations of Delhi to Mumbai Rajdhani?" and dismissed the Petition.

The SLP filed by P.T. Sheejish through the Advocate-on-Record Sriram P. stated that due to political reasons, the decision to allot a stoppage to the 'Vande Bharat Train Service' at Tirur Railway Station in Malappuram District was withdrawn. The plea stated that Malappuram District is one of the most densely populated districts of Kerala State and a very significant number of people are depending on the train service for their travel purpose to meet both ends of life, and Tirur railway station is the main stop of Malappuram District.

"That the action of calling back the railway stop that was erstwhile proposed to be allotted to Tirur railway station is significantly due to political reasons which is sheer injustice to the entire people of Malappuram district, as Malappuram District is the most densely populated one, there are large number of citizens who are in dire need of the said train service," read the plea.

It was also submitted that initially Tirur Railway station was allotted a stop on behalf of Malappuram District but subsequently, the Indian railway called back the stop allotted to Tirur railway station and instead another railway station namely Shornur in the Palakkad District was allotted the stop which is roughly 56 KM away from Tirur.

The Kerala High Court while dismissing the PIL noted that "The stops to be provided for a train is a matter that has to be determined by the Railways. No person has a vested right to demand that a particular train should stop at a particular station. Moreover, like the petitioner, if every individual or public-spirited person in every district, starts clamouring or demanding a stop to be provided at a Railway Station of his/her choice, the purpose of setting up high-speed trains would itself be lost."

The High Court had further noted that "Railway stops are not to be provided on demands based on personal or vested interests, especially for high speed express trains like Vande Bharat train. If stops are provided on demand by public, the term express train will itself become a misnomer."

Cause Title: P.T. Sheejish v. Union of India & Ors. [SLP(C) No. 013929 - / 2023]