The Madras High Court on January 19, 2026, ordered Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) to carry out surprise inspections to ensure senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PwDs) get their priority seats in Metro trains. The court, led by Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G. Arul Murugan, said CMRL must take strict action on complaints about misuse of these seats. The order came after advocate V.B.R. Menon filed a public interest litigation, arguing that reserved seats should be exclusively for seniors and PwDs, like the reserved coaches for women. Menon said just sticking priority stickers on seats fails as able-bodied men usually sit there and do not give up the seats when needed. "There is a difference between priority seating and earmarking seats exclusively for the use of senior citizens and the physically challenged. What is being done now by CMRL is only to offer priority seating, not earmarking seats exclusively for the use of such passengers," Menon told the court. State Government Pleader A. Edwin Prabakar replied that able-bodied men can only sit in these seats if no senior or PwD is present. He added that passengers can make complaints via the Metro’s intercom system and CMRL is making announcements reminding people of the reserved seats. The judges said it is up to CMRL to consider whether to reserve seats exclusively for seniors and PwDs. Meanwhile, the Metro must perform surprise checks and act on any complaints promptly.