A day after the driver of a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Fast Passenger bus approached the Kerala High Court challenging his transfer as part of a disciplinary action for keeping bottles on the dashboard of the bus, the KSRTC on Wednesday filed an affidavit before the court stating that a circular had been issued in 2024 curbing such practices.

Jaimon Joseph had been given a transfer from Kottayam to Thrissur after Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar intercepted the bus Mr. Joseph was driving and directed action against him for allegedly placing water bottles between the dashboard and the windscreen.

According to the 2024 circular, towels, bags and other items must not be placed in such places. They must, instead, be stored in bags and placed on the luggage rack. In addition, instructions were issued to all depots to install dustbins in buses. Such measures were taken to ensure cleanliness of buses, said the KSRTC.

Moreover, as Transport Minister, Mr. Ganesh Kumar can recommend action against rule violations. The transfer was part of disciplinary action, the KSRTC said in its affidavit.

Mr. Joseph had contended on Tuesday that he completed nine years service in the KSRTC without any instance of disciplinary action. He added that he was carrying 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. The matter has been posted for hearing on Thursday.

Published – October 15, 2025 09:54 pm IST