Thilagaraj. P v. The Regional Transport Officer

ORDER This writ petition has been filed seeking Writ of Mandamus to direct the respondents to return the petitioner's original driving license bearing No. TN67Z20070004939 to the petitioner forthwith.

¶2Heard the learned counsel on either side. With their consent, the writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

¶3The petitioner is a driver employed in the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Limited, Palani Branch, Dindigul Region, Madurai District. When he was driving the vehicle bearing Registration No.TN 57 N 2535 on

08.09.2023, it was involved in an accident. Crime No.432 of 2023 was registered in the 2nd respondent Police Station on 08.09.2023 for the offences under Sections 279, 337 and 304(A) of IPC. The petitioner's driving license has since been seized. Seeking its return, the writ petition came to be filed.

¶4The specific case of the petitioner is that he is no way responsible for the unfortunate occurrence and that the very registration of the First Information Report against him is illegal. Without issuing any show cause notice and without passing any final order, the petitioner's driving license has been seized.

¶5The learned Additional Government Pleader strongly opposed the prayer in this writ petition.

¶6Though the objections raised by the learned Additional Government Pleader appear to be sound, I am of the view that the impounding or suspension or cancellation of the petitioner's license can be resorted to only after finding the petitioner's guilty of negligence. It is only the jurisdictional Criminal Court or the Claims Tribunal that can decide the issue. It may not be open to an administrative authority to give any finding on this issue, particularly when the investigation is still pending. At the same time, if the petitioner's license is impounded and not returned to the petitioner, he will not be able to discharge his duty as driver. If the petitioner is found innocent later, the clock cannot be put back.

¶7A Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court in the decision reported in 2010 Writ L.R. 100 (P.Sethuram V. The Licensing Authority, The Regional Transport Officer, Dindigul) has held as follows:- "The respondent has, in the impugned order, pre-concluded the issue that the appellant is guilty of rash and negligent driving, even before the Criminal Court or the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal went into the issue. Even to invoke Section 19(1)(c), it is necessary to show that the Motor Vehicle is used in the commission of a cognizable offence. Without making a specific averment regarding the same, the order suspending the driving licence cannot be taken to be passed after due application of mind".

¶8Respectfully following the same, the writ petition is allowed. The respondents are directed to return the petition mentioned original driving license to the petitioner immediately and without any delay. No costs.

29.09.2023

NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No Tmg Note: Issue order copy on 29.09.2023. To

1.The Regional Transport Officer, Regional Transport Office, Collectorate Complex, Chettinayakkanpatti Post, Thadikombu Road, Dindigul-624 004.

2.The Inspector of Police, Oddanchatram Police Station, Oddanchatram, Dindigul District.

S.SRIMATHY, J.

Tmg

29.09.2023

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 29.09.2023 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY P.Thilagaraj ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The Regional Transport Officer, Regional Transport Office, Collectorate Complex, Chettinayakkanpatti Post, Thadikombu Road, Dindigul-624 004. 2.The Inspector of Police, Oddanchatram Police Station, Oddanchatram, Dindigul District. ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to return the petitioner's original driving license bearing No. TN67Z20070004939 to the petitioner forthwith. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Prasanth For R-1 : Mr.R.Suresh Kumar Additional Government Pleader For R-2 : Mr.K.Sanjai Gandhi Government Advocate (Criminal side)