Pitchaimuthu M v. The Regional Transport Officer (R.T.O)

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 23.06.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN M.Pitchaimuthu.

... Petitioner Vs 1.The Regional Transport Officer O/o. Regional Transport Office, Karur District - 639 001.

2.The Motor Vehicle Inspector, Unit Office, Kulithalai RTO Office, Karur District - 639 104.

3.The Inspector of Police, Thogaimalai Police Station, Thogaimalai, Karur District - 639 103.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus to direct the respondents 1 and 2 to return the original Driving Licence bearing No.TN-47-20050001029 to the petitioner 1/4

forthwith.

For petitioner : Mr. N.Sudhagar Nagaraj For respondents :Mr.D.Ghandhiraj Special Government Pleader for R1 & R2 Mr.K.Sanjai Gandhi Government Advocate (Crl.Side) for R3 *****

ORDER

This Writ Petition is disposed of at the time of admission after hearing the learned counsel for the petitioner, learned Special Government Pleader for the respondents 1 and 2 and learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) for the third respondent.

2. The petitioner appears to have caused an accident on 14.03.2025, resulting in fatal injury to the victim. An FIR has been registered against the petitioner in Crime No.98 of 2025 dated 15.03.2025, pursuant to which the first respondent has also issued Show Cause Notice, dated 19.03.2025 to which the petitioner has also replied.

3. The issue is now covered in favour of the petitioner in the decision rendered by this Court in P.Sethuraman Vs. The Licensing Authority, Dindigul 2/4

reported in [2010] WLR 100.

4. Under these circumstances, the first respondent is directed to return the driving licence to the petitioner forthwith. However, liberty is given to the first respondent to pass appropriate orders in the aforesaid Show Cause proceedings dated 19.03.2025. The confiscation of the licence is subject to the final outcome of the Show Cause proceedings.

5. This Writ Petition is disposed of, with the above observations. No costs. Index : Yes / No 23.06.2025 Internet : Yes / No apd To 1.The Regional Transport Officer O/o. Regional Transport Office, Karur District - 639 001.

2.The Motor Vehicle Inspector, Unit Office, Kulithalai RTO Office, Karur District - 639 104.

3/4

C.SARAVANAN, J.

apd 3.The Inspector of Police, Thogaimalai Police Station, Thogaimalai, Karur District - 639 103.

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