S.David Raja v. Inspector Of Police
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 10.10.2018
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE Mr.JUSTICE V.BHARATHIDASAN W.P.No. 26449 of 2018 S.David Raja
...Petitioner
Vs 1.Inspector of Police, Alandurai Police Station, Coimbatore District.
2.The Licensing Authority-cum- Regional Transport Officer, Coimbatore West, Coimbatore.
...Respondents
PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue Writ of Mandamus directing the second respondent herein to return the Original Driving License (DL No.TN37-2003 0011688) to the petitioner forthwith.
For Petitioner :Mr.K.Hariharan For Respondents :Mr.E.Neelakandan, Government Advocate
O R D E R
This writ petition has been filed seeking direction to the second respondent to return the original Driving Licence to the petitioner.
2. According to the petitioner, he is a driver in Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation of Coimbatore and the bus driven by him was met with an accident on 23.09.2018. Based on that, a criminal case was registered against him by the first respondent police in Crime No.161 of 2018 under sections 297 & 304 -A of IPC. Thereafter, the first respondent/Inspector of Police seized his license and produced the same for taking action before the second respondent/Regional Transport Office under section 19 of the Motor Vehicle Act. But, so far no action has been taken by the second respondent and the second respondent/Regional Transport Office is holding the license with them. Hence, the present writ petition is filed.
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3. Today, when the matter is taken up for the hearing, the learned Government Advocate, appearing for the second respondent submitted that already an enquiry has been initiated under section 19(1) of the Act and a show cause notice was also issued to the petitioner for further action. But, so far the petitioner did not file his objection and hence, enquiry is pending.
4. I have heard the rival submissions and perused the materials available on records.
5. Considering the fact that as already enquiry has been initiated under section 19(1) of the Act and show cause notice was also issued to the petitioner, the petitioner is directed to submit his objection, before the second respondent, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. On receipt of the same, the second respondent is directed to conduct enquiry and pass a final reasoned order on merits and in accordance with law within a period of four weeks thereafter. Until the final order is passed in the proceedings, the second respondent has no power to withhold the licence. In the said circumstances, the second respondent is directed to return the licence to the petitioner subject to the result of the enquiry proceedings.
6. With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.
Sd/- Deputy Registrar //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar mrp/mbi To 1.Inspector of Police, Alandurai Police Station, Coimbatore District.
2.The Licensing Authority-cum- Regional Transport Officer, Coimbatore West, Coimbatore.
+1cc to Mr.K.Hariharan, Advocate, S.R.No.70080 W.P.No. 26449 of 2018 cs/11/10/2018 https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/