support@headlinenews360.com
Last Updated:
Kerala High Court’s decision to restrict general public from using toilets at private petrol pumps left the Internet divided.
Kerala High Court responded to a petition and favoured the petrol pump owners who wanted to restrict the use of their toilets only to customers. (Andaz Apna Apna / YouTube)
The Kerala High Court, in a recent decision, sided with the fuel pump owners that their establishments were intended for the use of their customers in case of emergencies and not open to the general public. The writ petition filed by the Petroleum Traders Welfare and Legal Service Society and five individual retailers objected to the categorization of the toilets on their premises as public facilities. The fuel pump owners, in their petition, alleged that the municipal authorities pasted posters and QR codes on their restrooms misleading non-customers into believing they were using “public toilets” at their otherwise private bunks.
“Hence in light of the impending threat and disastrous consequences which might ensue due to usage of such toilets by general public at large; it is essential that requisite directions may be passed by this Honourable Court to restrict usage of such toilets only to customers who come for refuelling their vehicles and that too only in emergency situations,” the petitioners submitted, as quoted by Levelaw.
The petition added that the alleged misleading signage was a reason of security concern as the large crowds gathering to use their toilets compromised the safety of their fuel pumps.
In their interim order, the court directed the state government and the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation not to mandate that the restrooms in the petitioners’ establishments be used by the general public.
Also Read: Young Shubman Gill’s Photo Goes Viral As India’s New Captain Braves Ultimate Test
When the news hit the “general public” on Reddit, they were far from amused.
“Few years ago, this was reverse. We do not have proper toilet infrastructure, keeping such toilets open even by pay and use criteria is good for the society. Also, with this pretext, government did not bother establish facilities, (sic)” wrote one user while reacting to the news.
“I need to pee urgently. Can I use your restroom please?” “Sure can you also fill 100rs of petrol if you are doing number 1 and 500rs of petrol if you also plan on doing number 2 please?” wrote another sarcastically.
“This is why we piss wherever,” added a third.
“Weren’t private establishments being subsidized for renovating their toilets, so as to enable them for public usage? If the establishment has enrolled under the scheme, then they have to open up to public,” a user wrote before adding, “But I think the issue is that opening upto everyone in our country means people who are squatting nearby also use it. So essentially, the entire mohalla/settlement that might not have any or enough functioning toilets there would be using such toilets everyday, every time. From a business perspective, it is something to consider (sic).”
What about EV owners? Wondered a few.
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
- First Published:
