Sanjit Jana v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

17.12.2025 Item No. 71 Crt.No.10 b.r. WPA 25347 of 2025 Sanjit Jana -vsThe State of West Bengal & Ors.

Mr. Soumen Bhattacharjee Ms. Shradhya Ghosh .... For the petitioner.

Mr. Pantu Deb Roy, Ld. AGP Mr. Dipankar Ghosh .... For the State.

Parties are represented through their respective learned counsels.

The petitioner in the instant case is an operator of Stage Carriage Vehicle (bus) and is plying his vehicle by virtue of a permit issued by the State Transport Authority, West Bengal in respect of route Dhulagori to New Town.

Main grievance of the petitioner is that some operators are plying in the said route without valid permit. More so, the permit holders of different route are plying in the said route.

The petitioner has lodged a complaint before the authority concerned on 04.04.2023 but the same remained pending for consideration.

Learned counsel for the State submits that already the Secretary, Regional Transport Authority,

Howrah has taken a drive against those operators who are plying buses illegally from Dhulagor to New Town. A copy of the action taken report is taken on record. In reply, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that such action has been taken after filing of the instant writ petition. There are other vehicles still plying without permit in the said route which remains unnoticed by the authorities.

On the basis of the record, I am of the considered view the respondent no.4 along with Respondent nos. 5 and 6 should consider the issue of illegal plying of buses from Dhulagar to New Town and arrive at a logical conclusion.

The respondent no.4 along with Respondent nos. 5 and 6 should sit jointly and pass a reasoned order in accordance law preferably within 60 days from the date of communication of this order upon affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner and other interested parties and shall communicate such decision within a week thereafter.

However, it is made clear that in course of hearing if it appears that the operators are plying buses illegally in the said route, the authorities shall take appropriate steps against the erring operators in accordance with law.

Since affidavits are not called for, the allegations made in this writ petition are deemed not to have been admitted by the respondents.

With the above observations and directions, this writ petition, WPA 25347 of 2025 stands disposed of, without any order as to costs.

Photostat certified copy of this order, if applied for, be given to the parties on priority basis upon compliance of all formalities.

(Smita Das De, J.)