Madras High CourtWP/26937/2018disposed of

T.Murugesan, v. Inspector Of Police,

2018-10-23Honourable Mr Justice V. Bharathidasan2 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 23.10.2018

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE Mr.JUSTICE V.BHARATHIDASAN W.P.No. 26937 of 2018 T.Murugesan ... Petitioner Vs

1. Inspector of Police, Traffic Investigation Wing, Coimbatore East Police Station, Coimbatore.

2. The Licensing Authority-cum- Regional Transport Officer, Coimbatore South, Coimbatore ... Respondents PRAYER : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue Writ of Mandamus directing the second respondent to return the original driving licence (DL.No.TN33 Y 1989 0000654) to the petitioner forthwith. For Petitioner :Mr.K.Hariharan For Respondents :Mr.A.N.Thambidurai, Special Government Pleader

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 a private bus company in Coimbatore and the bus driven by him was met with an accident on 14.09.2018. Based on that, a criminal case was registered against him by the first respondent Police in Cr.No.538/2018. Thereafter, the first respondent/Inspector of Police seized his licence and produced the same for taking action before the 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 licence 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 Special Government Pleader, appearing for the respondents 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. 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/- Assistant Registrar(CS VIII) //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar To

1. Inspector of Police, Traffic Investigation Wing, Coimbatore East Police Station, Coimbatore.

2. The Licensing Authority-cum- Regional Transport Officer, Coimbatore South, Coimbatore +1cc to Mr.K.Hariharan, Advocate SR.NO.71971 sm:25.10.2018 W.P.No. 26937 of 2018 https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/