The Kerala High Court has dismissed a public interest litigation challenging an alleged restriction for men in the ‘Freedom at Midnight’ programme by the Department of Women and Child Development (WCD) in Thiruvananthapuram.

The court held that the petitioner, S.R. Adarsh of Thiruvananthapuram, had based his plea on unverified press reports and that he had not approached the authorities concerned with his grievance or corroborated the information through official channels. The court reasoned that it could not direct any public authority on a petition unless the petitioner’s grievance had been denied by the respective public authority first.

‘Freedom at Midnight’ is a free-entry, women-only event to be held from 10 p.m. on August 14 to 1 a.m. on August 15 along MG Road from PMG Junction to Overbridge Junction in Thampanoor, Thiruvananthapuram. The event is organised by the WCD, in connection with the 80th Independence Day celebrations.

The WCD informed the court that the entry of men was restricted only to the event; their use of the premises and transport through the area would not be impeded.

Published - August 13, 2026 09:30 pm IST