Case:- P Ayyakannu vs Union of India
Citation:- WP(MD)No.13455 of 2025
Date:- 17.09.2025
Hon’ble Madras High Court Madurai Bench:- JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI
The Hon’ble Madras High Court recently held that the railway authorities cannot de-board a passenger holding a valid ticket merely because his travel was for conducting a protest.
- The Hon’ble Court clarified that under the Railways Act, 1989 (Sections 55, 56 & 156), passengers can be de-boarded only in three cases: travelling without a ticket, suffering from an infectious disease, or travelling in unauthorised parts of the train. If officials remove a passenger beyond these grounds, it would amount to an offence and action can be taken against them.
The Petition was filed by the farmer leader P. Ayyakannu, who alleged he and his supporters were forced off trains while travelling to Delhi for peaceful protests. - The police opposed the plea, arguing that though his protests were legal in motive, his methods created public nuisance, such as using skulls and bones, fasting with senior citizens, or climbing towers.
- The Hon’ble court stressed that while the right to movement and protest is protected under Article 19, it is not absolute and requires prior permission. Protesters must also respect conditions laid down by authorities.
- Since Ayyakannu had not provided specific details of when he was de-boarded, the court did not issue blanket orders but gave him liberty to file proper cases if such incidents happen in the future.
