G.Ramalingam v. The District Collector

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 01-06-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI G.Ramalingam, S/o.Govindaraj, No.5/175 Andiyur, Mangudi Post, Thiruvarur Taluk & District.

...Petitioner

Vs

1. The District Collector O/o. District Collector Thiruvarur District.

2. The Regional Transport Officer, O/o. Regional Transport Office, Thiruvarur District.

...Respondents

PETITION under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the 2nd respondent to visit the bus route No.1 to 10 and supplying the application for permission of mini bus services in the route No.1 to Route No.10 in pursuant of the petitioner's representation dated 13.3.2026.

For Petitioner:

Mr.P.Muthamizhselvakumar For Respondents:

Mr.M.Sivavarthanan, GA

ORDER

This is a petition filed by the petitioner seeking a direction to the second respondent to consider his representation dated 13.3.2026 to visit bus route Nos.1 to 10 and supply the application form for the grant of permission of mini bus services in route Nos.1 to 10.

2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate accepting notice for the respondents.

3. The case of the petitioner is as follows:

(i) The petitioner is running a travels to eke his livelihood. The Government of Tamil Nadu recently passed a scheme allowing mini bus services in village routes. This scheme is extended throughout the State. The agriculturists deep inside the villages of Thiruvarur District are not having the authorized and regular bus services to connect to hospitals, markets and educational institutions in the

main town.

(ii) After coming into force of the scheme, the petitioner approached the second respondent on 19.12.2025 seeking permission to render minim bus service in the route of 25 Km on the side of served road and unserved road along with route map and requested to issue the relevant application form. Even after several visits, the second respondent has not yet issued the relevant application form to the petitioner.

(iii) Even thereafter, as the petitioner has not received any response, he sent a representation dated 13.3.2026 to the respondents and others to issue the relevant application form and permit him to render the mini bus services in the route enclosed along with the said representation. The petitioner also approached the second respondent through an application on 12.12.2025 under the Right to Information Act. In turn, the second respondent sent a reply on 12.1.2026 stating that the petitioner should send proper application in order to consider his request. (iv) Pursuant to that, the petitioner once again approached the second respondent. But, the second respondent orally stated that due to the election to the Legislative Assembly in the State of Tamil

Nadu in 2026, the relevant application form has not been issued. According to the petitioner, the election rules will not bind the schemes already in existence. Having no other alternative, the petitioner is before this Court.

4. Considering the limited nature of the relief sought for and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the first respondent to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 13.3.2026 on merits and pass appropriate orders thereon in accordance with law within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs.

01-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order To

1. The District Collector O/o. District Collector Thiruvarur District.

2. The Regional Transport Officer, O/o. Regional Transport Office, Thiruvarur District.

RLI/RS

M.DHANDAPANI,J RLI 01-06-2026