Madras High Court
K.Prabakara Kannan vs The District Collector Cum on 20 February, 2026
Author: Krishnan Ramasamy
Bench: Krishnan Ramasamy
.W.P.(MD) Nos.4768 and 4769 of 2026
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENGH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED: 20.02.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY
W.P.(MD)Nos.4768 and 4769 of 2026
and
W.M.P.(MD).No.3984 and 4002 of 2026
W.P.(MD).No.4768 of 2026
K.Prabakara Kannan ... Petitioner
Vs
1.The District Collector cum
Regional Transport Authority,
Madurai District,
Madurai-625 020.
2.The Regional Transport Officer,
Madurai South,
Madurai District. ... Respondents
Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India
praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the first respondent to
permit the petitioner's Mini Bus bearing Registration No.TN 49-C 9135
to enter into Periyar Bus Stand from Crime Branch a distance of 0.5 km
as per Class VII of the new Mini Bus Scheme in G.O.(Ms).No.198,
Home (Transport-I) Department dated 28.04.2025 and other reliefs.
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.W.P.(MD) Nos.4768 and 4769 of 2026
For Petitioner : Mr.A.C.Asaithambi
For Respondents : Mr.K.Balasubramani,
Special Government Pleader
W.P.(MD).No.4769 of 2026
K.Prabakara Kannan ... Petitioner
Vs
1.The District Collector cum
Regional Transport Authority,
Madurai District,
Madurai-625 020.
2.The Regional Transport Officer,
Madurai South,
Madurai District. ... Respondents
Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India
praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the first respondent to
permit the petitioner's Mini Bus bearing Registration No.TN 45-N 0407
to enter into Periyar Bus Stand from Crime Branch a distance of 0.5 km
as per Class VII of the new Mini Bus Scheme in G.O.(Ms).No.198,
Home (Transport-I) Department dated 28.04.2025 and other reliefs.
For Petitioner : Mr.A.C.Asaithambi
For Respondents : Mr.K.Balasubramani,
Special Government Pleader
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.W.P.(MD) Nos.4768 and 4769 of 2026
COMMON ORDER
These writ petitions have been filed seeking a direction to the first respondent to permit the petitioner’s Mini Buses bearing Registration Nos. TN-49-C-9135 and TN-45-N-0407 to enter Periyar Bus Stand from Crime Branch for a distance of 0.5 km, in terms of Clause VII of G.O. (Ms).No.198, Home (Transport-I) Department, dated 28.04.2025, and for consequential reliefs.
2. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is operating mini bus services on the route Viraganoor Ring Road to Sengundram Junction. Migration was granted to the petitioner for the said route. The total route length is 15.4 kms, comprising 5.2 kms of served sector and 10.2 kms of unserved sector. According to the petitioner, the mini bus covers more than eight rural areas and runs from Viraganoor Ring Road touching Crime Branch and thereafter reaches Sengundram Junction.
2.(i). It is the further submission of the petitioner that Periyar Bus Stand is situated at a distance of about 0.5 km from Crime Branch and that, at the time of seeking migration, he had requested the authorities to 3/7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 26/02/2026 09:28:11 pm ) .W.P.(MD) Nos.4768 and 4769 of 2026 permit extension of the route up to Periyar Bus Stand. However, such permission was not granted. Placing reliance upon Clause VII of G.O. (Ms).No.198, dated 28.04.2025, the petitioner seeks the present relief.
3. The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents would submit that orders may be passed in accordance with law.
4. This Court has carefully considered the submissions made on either side.
5. Clause VII of G.O.(Ms).No.198, Home (Transport-I) Department, dated 28.04.2025, provides that if any adjoining area within one kilometre from the terminal point happens to be a Government Hospital, Higher Secondary School, College, Railway Station, Uzhavarsandhai, Agricultural Regulatory Market, Collectorate, Taluk Office, places of famous religious worship or a place just before a bus stand, and if the served sector exceeds the maximum permitted route length, the Regional Transport Authority, in consultation with the stakeholders concerned, may permit an additional distance of up to one 4/7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 26/02/2026 09:28:11 pm ) .W.P.(MD) Nos.4768 and 4769 of 2026 kilometre in the served sector to enable passengers to reach such specified places. The said clause specifically states that this concession shall not apply to places other than those mentioned therein.
6. In the present case, the extension sought by the petitioner is not shown to fall within the specific categories contemplated under Clause VII. Further, the terminal point of the petitioner’s route is not immediately adjoining the Periyar Bus Stand in the manner contemplated under the Government Order. Therefore, the benefit of Clause VII cannot be automatically extended to the petitioner as a matter of right.
7. In view of the above, this Court does not find any merit in these writ petitions and the same are liable to be dismissed.
8. However, it is open to the petitioner to make a fresh application before the competent authority seeking change or variation of the route so as to include Periyar Bus Stand. If such an application is made, the respondents shall consider the same on its own merits and in accordance with law.
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9. Accordingly, these Writ Petitions stand dismissed. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.
20.02.2026 TSG Speaking/Non-speaking order Index : Yes / No Neutral Citation : Yes / No To State Tax Officer-4 (Ins.), Office of the Joint Commissioner (IW), Tirunelveli District.
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TSG W.P.(MD)Nos.4768 and 4769 of 2026 20.02.2026 7/7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 26/02/2026 09:28:11 pm )