Madras High CourtWP/10414/2016disposed of

V.Velmurugan, v. The Regional Transport Officer

2016-03-21Honourable Mr Justice M.Duraiswamy2 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 21.03.2016

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE Mr. JUSTICE M.DURAISWAMY W.P.No.10414 of 2016 V. Velmurugan .... petitioner v.

1. The Regional Transport Officer, Kovai Pudur, Kovai West, Coimbatore District

2. The Inspector of Police, Soolur Police Statin, Soolur, Coimbatore District ... Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to return the petitioner's driving licence bearing DL No.TN6020060001458which is valid upto 20.08.2016 forthwith. For Petitioner:

Mr.A. Ganesan For Respondent: Mr.A. Rajaperumal Govt. Advocate

ORDER

The petitioner has filed the above writ petition to issue Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to return the petitioner's driving licence bearing DL No.TN6020060001458 which is valid upto 20.08.2016 forthwith.

2. It is the case of the petitioner that even before the completion of the criminal case, registered against the petitioner, the respondents had seized the driving licence of the petitioner, which is contrary to the judgment reported in 2015(2) CTC 626 (R. Ravi vs The Regional Transport Officer, Transport Department, Chennai - 600 078 (Chennai West), wherein, I had an occasion to direct the respondent to return the driving licence to the petitioner, when the criminal case was not completed.

3. Mr.A. Rajaperumal, learned Government Advocate, taking notice of the respondents, submitted that the relief sought for in the writ petition is covered by the decision of this court reported in 2015(2) 626 (R. Ravi vs The Regional Transport Officer, Transport Department, Chennai - 600 078 (Chennai West). https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/

4. Having regard to the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side, following the judgment of this court, I direct the first respondent to return the petitioner's original driving licence bearing DL No. TN6020060001458 to the petitioner forthwith on production of a copy of this order. However, it shall not preclude the respondents from initiating any action, if any of the contingencies specified in Motor Vehicles Act, arises later or if any of the Rules as prescribed by the Central Government, in pursuance of the provisions of the Act, are violated. With these observations, the writ petition is allowed. No costs.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar(CS IV) //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar sr To

1. The Regional Transport Officer, Kovai Pudur, Kovai West, Coimbatore District

2. The Inspector of Police, Soolur Police Statin, Soolur, Coimbatore District + 1 cc to Mr.A. Ganesan, Advocate Sr.17650 W.P.No.10414 of 2016 LRS(CO) Eu 28.03.16 https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/