Teacher's legal fight 'fuels' consumer panel ruling on access to public loo

WHAT CAN a woman do if someone denies her access to a public toilet?

- JAISON WILSON @Pathanamthitta

Such a situation led C L Jayakumari, a school teacher from Pathanamthitta, to initiate a legal fight that lasted nearly a year, resulting in a significant verdict by the Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.

In a landmark verdict, the commission imposed a fine of ₹1.65 lakh, including court expenses of ₹15,000, on a petrol pump owner.

Jayakumari's ordeal began last May when she stopped at a petrol pump in Payyoli, Kozhikode, to refuel. As her car was being filled up, she requested access to the restroom, only to find it locked. Initially, she was told that the toilet isn't functional. Later, employees admitted that the manager had locked up the toilet and that they didn't have the keys. Some male staffer even responded rudely to her repeated requests.