Dhilipkumar v. The Regional Transport Officer

1 W.P.(MD)NO.34570 OF 2025 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 28.11.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN W.P.(MD)No.34570 of 2025 Dhilipkumar ... Petitioner Vs.

The Regional Transport Officer, Regional Transport Office, Karaikudi, Sivagangai District.

... Respondent Prayer: Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent to register the petitioner's Mahindra Bolero Camper 4WD PSD vehicle bearing engine No.JNS4F23909, Chassis No.MR1RU4JNK85F18938 as non transport light motor vehicle on the basis of the petitioner application No.TN25102749203866 dated 27.10.2025 and representation dated 20.11.2025 to the respondent herein within the time that may be stipulated by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.K.Maheshraja For Respondent : Mr.M.Lingadurai, Special Government Pleader.

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2 W.P.(MD)NO.34570 OF 2025

O R D E R

Heard both sides.

2. One K.Venkatachalapathy filed W.P.No.5532 of 2015 and the same was disposed of on 09.03.2015 in the following terms:- "The petitioner has come forward with a writ of certiorarified mandamus calling for the records of the respondent made in Memo No.5606/A3/2015 dated 12/02/2015 and to quash the same, consequently direct the respondent to register the petitioner's Mahindra Bolero Camper Vehicle bearing Engine No.GHE4L55150, Chassis No.MA1RY2GHKE3L51460 as non transport light motor vehicle.

2. Petitioner purchased Mahindra Bolero Camper bearing Chassis No.MA1RY2GHKE3L51460 and Engine No.GHE4L55150 on 30.11.2014, which stands temporarily registered as light motor vehicle. The case of the petitioner is that when the petitioner approached the Regional Transport Officer, Pollachi with application applied in the prescribed form to register the vehicle as light motor vehicle being on-transport light motor 2/6

3 W.P.(MD)NO.34570 OF 2025 vehicle. The request was declined on the ground that there is no provision under the Central Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 to register the vehicle as a nontransport light vehicle.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner challenged the impugned order, on the ground that the vehicle of the petitioner cannot be registered as a transport vehicle as it does not fall within the definition of Transport vehicle, which means a public service vehicle, goods carriage, an educational institution bus or a private service vehicle.

4. The case of the petitioner is that he wants to use the vehicle for his personal use, therefore, it cannot be registered as a transport vehicle.

5. On consideration, I find that the impugned order cannot be sustained. It is true that the respondent cannot register the vehicle as a nontransport vehicle, as there is no such category stipulated under the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, but at the same time, the vehicle of the petitioner cannot be registered as a transport vehicle, as it will not fall within the definition of the transport vehicle. The respondent is therefore required to register the petitioner's vehicle as a light motor vehicle (i.e) 3/6

4 W.P.(MD)NO.34570 OF 2025 privately owned light motor vehicle, as it was done while granting temporary registration.

6. For the reasons stated, the impugned order is set aside and the case is remitted back to the respondent to consider the application for the petitioner for registering the vehicle as a light motor vehicle. Time limit is one month from the date of receipt of this order. No costs."

3. The case on hand is absolutely similar. The respondent is directed to consider the petitioner's application dated 27.10.2025. This writ petition stands disposed of on the same lines as W.P. No.5532 of 2015 vide order dated 09.03.2015. No costs. 28.11.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No PMU 4/6

5 W.P.(MD)NO.34570 OF 2025 To:

The Regional Transport Officer, Regional Transport Office, Karaikudi, Sivagangai District.

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6 W.P.(MD)NO.34570 OF 2025 G.R.SWAMINATHAN,J.

PMU W.P.(MD)No.34570 of 2025 28.11.2025 6/6