Kerala High Court Rules Petrol Pump Toilets Are for Customers Only — Not the General Public

The Kerala High Court has issued an interim directive stating that toilets located on petrol pump premises are private facilities intended solely for use by customers in need, especially in emergencies. Justice C. S. Dias emphasized that these restrooms should not be converted into public toilets or opened to unrestricted access, dismissing attempts by local authorities to classify them as such.

This decision came after a petition filed by the Petroleum Traders Welfare and Legal Service Society and several retailers who complained about municipal bodies pasting posters labeling the toilets as public amenities. They argued that this led to unauthorized crowding—such as tourists from buses—on petrol station premises, posing serious safety risks given the flammable nature of the location.

The court also directed the state government and Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation to refrain from compelling petrol pump owners to open their facilities to the general public. The matter has been scheduled for a detailed hearing on July 17 to consider whether such directives contravene Article 300A of the Constitution, which protects private property.