R.Visveswaran v. The Principal Secretary
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 19.10.2024 CORAM :
THE HON'BLE MR.K.R.SHRIRAM, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY R.Visveswaran ... Petitioner -vs1. The Principal Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu, Transport Department, Fort St. George, Chennai 600 009.
2. The Regional Transport Officer, Chennai-East, Government of Tamil Nadu, Power Mills Road, Pulianthoppu, Chennai 600 012.
3. The Principal Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Transport Bhawan, Parliament Street, New Delhi 110 001.
... Respondents Prayer : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus to direct the respondents to take
appropriate steps to provide facilities to all persons in the State of Tamil Nadu to have their driving licenses renewed online, without insisting on the physical presence of eligible applicants before the concerned RTOs. For Petitioner :
Ms.V.Aishwarya For Respondents :
Mr.A.Edwin Prabakar State Govt. Pleader for RR 1 and 2 :
Mr.M.Sathyan C.G. Stdg. Counsel for R-3 * * * * *
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) Petitioner had filed this public interest litigation to direct respondents to take appropriate steps to provide facilities to all persons in the State of Tamil Nadu to have their driving licenses renewed on-line and without insisting on the physical presence of eligible applicants before the concerned Regional Transport Authorities.
2. Second respondent has filed a counter-affidavit through one
S.Sridharan, affirmed on 28.11.2020, in which the stand is that physical presence is required to record biometric and to ensure antecedents, etc. Second respondent has subsequently filed through the same Sridharan, another affidavit affirmed on 05.08.2024 in which it is stated that the department has, with effect from 12.04.2022, introduced contactless/ faceless services in respect of driving licence renewal in the State of Tamil Nadu. How the registration can be made is also given in the affidavit.
3. Ms.Aishwarya appearing for petitioner states that after a copy of the counter-affidavit was made available, she has personally checked the website but feels there is room for improvement. Ms.Aishwarya may submit a note to respondents suggesting how the website could be improved. If such a note is submitted, respondent No.2, the Regional Transport Officer, shall invite the advocate/petitioner to demonstrate as to how the website could be improved.
4. Ms.Aishwarya states that a memo dated 01.08.2024 has been filed on behalf of petitioner in which it is stated that the facility made
available by the Government of Telangana appears to be very efficient. Ms.Aishwarya states that respondent No.2 be directed to consider the suggestions made in the memo dated 01.08.2024 and take steps to improve the facility.
5. Mr.Edwin Prabakar states that since the writ petition itself is not viewed as an adversarial litigation, respondents will look into it and he shall also advice respondents and makes suitable changes, if deemed necessary.
Writ petition is, accordingly, disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.
(K.R.SHRIRAM., CJ.) (SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY, J.) 19.10.2024 Index :
Yes/No NC :
Yes/No sra
To:
1. The Principal Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu, Transport Department, Fort St. George, Chennai 600 009.
2. The Regional Transport Officer, Chennai-East, Government of Tamil Nadu, Power Mills Road, Pulianthoppu, Chennai 600 012.
3. The Principal Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Transport Bhawan, Parliament Street, New Delhi 110 001.
THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY ,J.
(sra) 19.10.2024