Binu Jacob vs State Of Kerala on 22 December, 2022

[Cites 18, Cited by 0]

Kerala High Court

Binu Jacob vs State Of Kerala on 22 December, 2022

The petitioners, who are residents near Erumeli - Pamba Valley Bypass Road, have filed this writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking a writ of mandamus commanding the respondents to prohibit the plying of Taurus tippers, National Permit lorries and other multi-axle heavy duty vehicles through Erumeli - Pamba Valley Bypass Road, during Sabarimala season, so as to reduce traffic jams, accidents and also damage to the road. The petitioners have also sought for a writ of mandamus commanding the respondents to make regular and periodical inspections and checking at Erumeli - Pamba Valley Bypass Road to prevent the illegal plying of heavy/excess loaded Taurus tippers, National Permit lorries and other multi-axle heavy duty vehicles. A document marked as Ext.P1 is a news item that appeared in Malayala Manorama daily dated 06.12.2022 regarding plying of Taurus tippers through Manipuzha - Venkurinji Road, during school hours. The document marked as Ext.P2 are photographs of Goods vehicles, Taurus tippers, etc., carrying overload, causing accidents, traffic jam, etc. The document marked as Ext.P3 is an order dated 25.11.2022 of the 3rd W.P.(C)No.40896 of 2022 4 respondent District Collector, Kottayam, as the Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority, cancelling the permission granted by the Geologist to excavate earth from Block No.27 in Erumeli South Village, during Mandala-Makaravilakku festival season of 1198 M.E. (2022-23). The document marked as Ext.P5 is a news item that appeared in Malayala Manoram Daily dated 19.11.2022 regarding a motor accident which occurred on 18.11.2022 at Attivalavu near Kanamala Junction, involving a KSRTC bus and a contract carriage carrying Sabarimala pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh. According to the petitioners, despite the prohibitory orders, Taurus tippers, National Permit lorries and other multi-axle heavy duty vehicles are allowed being permitted to be plied through Erumeli - Pamba Valley Bypass Road, posing threat to the safety of other road users, including Sabarimala pilgrims. There are heavy traffic jams and accidents on the road. Many portions of the road have been damaged due to plying of overloaded Taurus tippers and other heavy vehicles. The petitioners submitted Ext.P5 representation dated 09.12.2022 before the 3rd respondent District Collector, Kottayam and the 4th respondent District Collector, Pathanamthitta. Alleging inaction on the part of the respondents, the petitioners are before this Court W.P.(C)No.40896 of 2022 5 in this writ petition, seeking the aforesaid reliefs.

2. On 16.12.2022, when this writ petition came up for admission, the matter was referred to the Division Bench dealing with Devaswom matters.

3. On 20.12.2022, when this writ petition came up for consideration, the Transport Commissioner, Kerala, was suo motu impleaded as the additional 10th respondent. The learned Senior Government Pleader sought time to get instructions from respondents 3 to 8 and also additional 10th respondent. By the order dated 20.12.2022, the Police and the Enforcement Wing of the Motor Vehicles Department were directed to take necessary steps to ensure strict compliance of the directions contained in the judgment of this Court in Anoop K.A. and another v. State of Kerala and Others [2019 (5) KHC 414].

4. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and also the learned Senior Government Pleader for the respondents.

5. During the course of arguments, the learned Senior Government Pleader has made available for the perusal of this Court, the proceedings dated 08.10.2018 of the 4th respondent District Collector, Pathanamthitta prohibiting the movement of tipper lorries in Pathanamthitta District from 8.30 a.m. to 10.00 W.P.(C)No.40896 of 2022 6 a.m. and thereafter from 3.00 p.m to 4.30 p.m. The operative portion of that order reads thus;

"സ്കൂൾ കുട്ടികളുടെയുും ജനങ്ങളുടെയുും സുരക്ഷ കണക്കിടെെുത്ത് പത്തനുംതിട്ട ജിെലയിൽ െിപ്പർ ലെോറികളുടെയുും െിപ്പർ ടെക്കോനിസും ഉപലയോഗിച്ച് പ്പവർത്തിക്കുന്ന വോഹനങ്ങളുടെയുും ഗതോഗതും രോവിടെ 08:30െുതൽ 10 െണിവടരയുും വവകുലന്നരും 03:00 െുതൽ 04.30 െണി വടരയുും നിലരോധിച്ച് ഇതിനോൽ ഉത്തരവോകുന്നു.

ഉത്തരവ് നെപ്പിെോക്കുന്നതിന് ജിെലോ ലപോെീസ് ലെധോവി റീജിണൽ പ്െോൻസ്ലപോർട് ഓഫീസർ എന്നിവർ പ്പലത്തേകും പ്രദ്ധിലക്കണ്ടതുും നിയെും െുംഘിക്കുന്നവർടക്കതിടര രക്തെോയ നിയെ നെപെി സവീകരിലക്കണ്ടതുും ഇതു സുംബന്ധിച്ച് കീഴുല്േോഗസ്ഥർക്ക് കർരനനിർലേരും നൽലകണ്ടതുെോണ്."

6. The learned Senior Government Pleader has also made available for the perusal of this Court, the order dated 13.01.2022 of the 4th respondent District Collector, Pathanamthitta regulating the movement of tipper lorries during this Makaravilakku festival season of 1198 M.E. The said order reads thus;

"രബരിെെ െകരവിളക്ക് ഉത്സവത്തിനോയി നെ തുറന്നിട്ടുളളതുും നെ തുറന്നതിന് ലരഷെുളള ്ിവസങ്ങളിൽ ഭക്തജനത്തിരക്കുും ജിെലയിൽ വോഹനങ്ങളുടെ ബോഹുെേവുും അനുഭവടപ്പട്ടു വരുന്നതുും ജിെലയിൽ പെ പ്പല്രങ്ങളിെുും വോഹന തിരക്ക് കോരണും ഗതോഗത തെസ്സും അനുഭവടപ്പട്ടു വരുന്നതുും ആണ്. െകര വിളക്ക് ഉത്സവ്ിനെോയ ജനുവരി 14 ലനോെു കൂെി ഭക്തജനങ്ങളുടെ തിരക്ക് വർദ്ധിക്കുന്നതുും സുംസ്ഥോനത്തിനകത്തു നിന്നുും പുറത്തു നിന്നുും വരുന്ന വോഹനങ്ങളുടെ എണ്ണത്തിൽ വൻ വർധന ഉണ്ടോകുന്നതിനുും ജിെലയിൽ ലറോഡ് ഗതോഗതും തെസ്സടപ്പെുന്നതിനുും കോരണെോകുും.

െകരവിളക്ക് ഉത്സവസെയത്ത് അനേ സുംസ്ഥോനങ്ങളിൽ നിന്നു കൂെി കൂെുതൽ വോഹനങ്ങൾ എത്തിലച്ചരോൻ സോധേത ഉള്ള ജനുവരി 13, 14 എന്നീ ്ിവസങ്ങളിൽ ലറോഡ് സുരക്ഷയ്ക്ക്കോയി കൂെുതൽ പ്രദ്ധ നൽലകണ്ടതുും വോഹന പ്കെീകരണങ്ങൾ ഏർടപ്പെുലത്തണ്ടതുും അനിവോരേെോണ്. െി ്ിവസങ്ങളിൽ െിപ്പർ വോഹനങ്ങൾ ലറോഡിൽ ഇറങ്ങുന്നത് രബരിെെ തീർത്ഥോെകർ ഉൾപ്പടെയുള്ള യോപ്തക്കോർക്കുും അവരുടെ വോഹനങ്ങൾക്കുും ഭീഷണിയോകുന്നതുും അപകെങ്ങൾ വർദ്ധിക്കുന്നതിന് കോരണെോകുന്നതുും ആണ്. ആയതിനോൽ രബരിെെ തീർത്ഥോെകർ ഉൾടപ്പടെയുള്ള ജനങ്ങളുടെ ജീവനുും അവരുടെ വോഹനങ്ങളുടെ സുരക്ഷയ്ക്ക്കുും െിപ്പർ ലെോറികളുടെ നിയപ്രണും െി ്ിവസങ്ങളിൽ അനിവോരേെോടണന്ന് W.P.(C)No.40896 of 2022 7 ലബോധേടപ്പട്ടിട്ടുണ്ട്.

പ്പോല്രിക സോഹചരേും പരിഗണിച്ച് െിപ്പർ ലെോറികളുടെയുും െിപ്പിുംഗ് ടെക്കോനിസും ഉപലയോഗിച്ച് പ്പവർത്തിക്കുന്ന വോഹനങ്ങളുടെയുും ഗതോഗത നിയപ്രണും സൂചന (1) പ്പകോരും അതോത് ജിെലോ കളക്െർെോടര ചുെതെ ടപ്പെുത്തി ഉത്തരവോയിട്ടുളളതോണ്.

ഈ സോഹചരേത്തിൽ രബരിെെ തീർത്ഥോെകരുടെയുും ടപോതു ജനങ്ങളുടെയുും സുരക്ഷ ഉറപ്പോക്കുന്നതിന് െിപ്പർ ലെോറികൾക്ക് ജിെലയിടെ ലറോഡുകളിൽ ജനുവരി 13, 14 ്ിവസങ്ങളിൽ ഗതോഗത നിയപ്രണും ഏർടപ്പെുത്തി സൂചന (2) പ്പകോരും ഉത്തരവോക്കിയിട്ടുള്ളതോണ്. എന്നോൽ െകരവിളക്കിന് ലരഷും തിരിച്ചിറങ്ങുന്ന ഭക്തരുടെ തിരക്ക് വർദ്ധിക്കോൻ സോധേത ഉള്ളതിനോൽ ജനുവരി 15 ലെക്ക് കൂെി പ്പസ്തുത ഉത്തരവ് തുെരുന്നത് ഉചിതെോയിരിക്കുടെന്ന് ലബോധേടപ്പട്ടിരിക്കുന്നതിനോൽ ജനുവരി 15ലെക്ക് കൂെി ഗതോഗത നിയപ്രണും ്ീർഘിപ്പിച്ച് ഇതിനോൽ ഉത്തരവോകുന്നു.

ഉത്തരവ് നെപ്പിെോക്കുന്നതിന് ജിെലോ ലപോെീസ് ലെധോവി , റീജിണൽ പ്െോൻസ്ലപോർട്ട് ഓഫീസർ എന്നിവർ പ്പലത്തേകും പ്രദ്ധിലക്കണ്ടതുും നിയെും െുംഘിക്കുന്നവർടക്കതിടര രക്തെോയ നിയെനെപെി സവീകരിലക്കണ്ടതുും ഇതു സുംബന്ധിച്ച് കീഴുല്േോഗസ്ഥർക്ക് നിർലേരും നൽലകണ്ടതുെോണ്."

7. In Anoop K.A. and another v. State of Kerala and others [2019 (5) KHC 414] this Court directed the State of Kerala and also the Transport Commissioner, Kerala to take necessary steps, through the duly authorised police officers and the officers of the Motor Vehicles Department to ensure strict compliance of the Road Safety Policy and also the provisions under the Motor Vehicles Act and the Motor Vehicles (Driving) Regulations, 2017 in the State of Kerala, as directed by the Apex Court in S.Rajaseekaran v. Union of India [(2018) 13 SCC 532].

8. In Anoop K.A. [2019 (5) KHC 414] this Court noticed that, grant of national permits in respect of goods W.P.(C)No.40896 of 2022 8 carriages under sub-section (12) of Section 88 of the Motor Vehicles Act, read with Rule 90 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules is for the purpose of encouraging long distance inter-state road transport. In view of the prohibition contained in clause (7) of Rule 90, goods carriages which are issued with national permits in States other than State of Kerala shall not be permitted to pick up or set down goods between two points in the State of Kerala. In view of the provisions under clause (8) of Rule 21 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, carrying overload in goods carriages shall constitute an act, which is likely to cause nuisance or danger to the public, for the purpose of clause (f) of sub- section (1) of Section 19 of the Motor Vehicles Act. As held in V. Rajendran v. Regional Transport Officer, Thanjavur [2011 SCC OnLine Mad 1397] and Peethambaran T.R. v. Additional Licensing Authority and another [2012 (3) KHC 917], the power of the Licensing Authority under sub-section (1) of Section 19 for making an order disqualifying the holder of driving licence for a specified period for holding or obtaining any driving licence to drive all or any classes or descriptions of vehicles specified in the licence; or revoke any such licence, is not dependent upon a conviction of the offender. The said power can be invoked W.P.(C)No.40896 of 2022 9 immediately upon the commission of the offence, where the Licensing Authority is satisfied of the existence of the conditions stipulated in that provision. As held in Ashish Gosain v. Department of Transport and another [AIR 2016 Delhi 162], compounding of an offence under Section 200 of the Motor Vehicles Act does not, in any manner, affect the power of the Licensing Authority in exercising its power under sub-section (1) of Section 19 of the said Act. As held by the Apex Court in Paramjit Bhasin v. Union of India [(2005) 12 SCC 642], compounding can be done either before or after the institution of the prosecution in respect of the enumerated offences in Section 200 of the Motor Vehicles Act. However, after compounding an offence punishable under Section 194 of the Act relating to excess load, that excess load cannot be permitted to be carried in the vehicle concerned. Such carriage would amount to infraction of Section 113 of the Act. The intention of uploading the excess load is apparent from a bare reading of sub-section (1) of Section 194. The liability to pay charge for uploading of the excess load is fixed on one who drives a vehicle or causes a motor vehicle to be driven in contravention of the provisions of Sections 113, 114 and 115 of the Act.

W.P.(C)No.40896 of 2022

9. In Anoop K.A. [2019 (5) KHC 414] this Court noticed that as per sub-regulation (1) of Regulation 35 of the Motor Vehicles (Driving) Regulations, 2017, the driver shall at all times ensure that loads, including load restraints and loading equipment, in the vehicle are stowed and restrained in such manner that these cannot slip, fall over, roll around, fall off the vehicle or produce avoidable noise, even in an emergency braking situation or if the vehicle swerves suddenly. As per sub-regulation (2), no driver shall drive in any public place a motor vehicle which is loaded in a manner which is likely to cause danger to any person. As per sub-regulation (3), the load or any part thereof, or any other object in the vehicle shall not extend laterally beyond the sides of the body or to the front or to the rear or exceed in height or weight the limits specified in the certificate of registration of the vehicle.

10. In Anoop K.A. [2019 (5) KHC 414] this Court held that, in view of the law laid down in V. Rajendran v. Regional Transport Officer, Thanjavur [2011 SCC OnLine Mad 1397], Peethambaran T.R. v. Additional Licensing Authority and another [2012 (3) KHC 917], Ashish Gosain v. Department of Transport and another [AIR 2016 Delhi 162], Ajith v. W.P.(C)No.40896 of 2022 11 State of Kerala and others [2017 (1) KHC 328], S. Rajaseekaran v. Union of India [(2014) 6 SCC 36], S. Rajaseekaran v. Union of India [(2018) 13 SCC 532], and Paramjit Bhasin v. Union of India [(2005) 12 SCC 642], and also the directions issued by the Supreme Committee on Road Safety on 18.08.2015, in cases in which offences like driving at a speed exceeding the specified limit; carrying overload in goods carriages; driving vehicles under the influence of drinks and drugs; using mobile phone while driving a vehicle; etc. are detected, the duly authorised police officers and the officers of the Motor Vehicles Department shall forthwith forward the driving licence of the driver of the vehicle to the Licensing Authority, for initiating proceedings under sub-section (1) of Section 19 of the Motor Vehicles Act. The compounding, if any, of the offence under Section 200 of the Motor Vehicles Act (either before or after the institution of any prosecution) shall not in any manner affect the proceedings initiated by the Licensing Authority under sub- section (1) of Section 19 of the said Act.

11. In Anoop K.A. [2019 (5) KHC 414] this Court directed the State of Kerala and the Transport Commissioner, Kerala, to take necessary steps, through duly authorised police W.P.(C)No.40896 of 2022 12 officers and the officers of the Motor Vehicles Department, including the Deputy Transport Commissioner, Central Zone-II, Ernakulam and the Regional Transport Officer, Ernakulam, to ensure strict implementation of the Road Safety Policy and also the provisions under the Motor Vehicles Act and the Motor Vehicles (Driving) Regulations, 2017 in the State of Kerala, as directed by the Apex Court in S. Rajaseekaran [(2018) 13 SCC 532]. In view of the law laid down in V. Rajendran [2011 SCC OnLine Mad 1397], Peethambaran T.R. [2012 (3) KHC 917], Ashish Gosain [AIR 2016 Delhi 162], Ajith [2017 (1) KHC 328], S. Rajaseekaran [(2014) 6 SCC 36], S. Rajaseekaran [(2018) 13 SCC 532], and Paramjit Bhasin [(2005) 12 SCC 642], and also the directions issued by the Supreme Committee on Road Safety in Ext.P1, in cases in which offences like driving at a speed exceeding the specified limit; carrying overload in goods carriages; driving vehicles under the influence of drinks and drugs; using mobile phone while driving a vehicle; etc. are detected, the duly authorised police officers and the officers of the Motor Vehicles Department shall forthwith forward the driving licence of the driver of the vehicle to the Licensing Authority, for initiating proceedings under sub-section (1) of Section 19 of the W.P.(C)No.40896 of 2022 13 Motor Vehicles Act. This Court ordered that, stern action shall be taken against the use of goods carriages and trailers in contravention of the provisions of Section 113 or Section 114 or Section 115 [which deals with power to restrict the use of vehicle] of the Motor Vehicles Act or clause (7) of Rule 90 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, and also for carrying persons in contravention of sub-regulations (2) and (3) of Regulation 32; for carrying load in contravention of sub-regulations (1) and (2) of Regulation 35 of the Motor Vehicles (Driving) Regulations, 2017. This Court further ordered that, considering the increase in the number of 'hit and run' accidents reported every year, stern action shall be taken against the use of motor vehicles, including goods carriages and trailers, in contravention of the provisions under Regulation 36 of the Motor Vehicles (Driving) Regulations, 2017, i.e., against the use of motor vehicles on public roads without displaying the registration plates as prescribed by the Motor Vehicles Act and the rules made thereunder.

12. Though the plying of Taurus tippers, National Permit lorries and other multi-axle heavy duty vehicles through Erumeli

- Pamba Valley Bypass Road cannot be prohibited during Mandala

- Makaravilakku festival season of 1198 M.E., the Police and the W.P.(C)No.40896 of 2022 14 Enforcement Wing of the Motor Vehicles Department can be directed to regulate the movement of such vehicles strictly in terms of the statutory provisions referred to in the judgment of this Court in Anoop K.A. [2019 (5) KHC 414] and also the law laid down in that decision, in order to ensure the safety of road users, including Sabarimala pilgrims.

In such circumstances, this writ petition is disposed of by directing the Police and the Enforcement Wing of the Motor Vehicles Department to take necessary steps to ensure strict compliance of the directions contained in the judgment of this Court in Anoop K.A. [2019 (5) KHC 414] and also the orders issued by the 4th respondent District Collector, Pathanamthitta dated 08.10.2018 and 13.01.2022, while regulating the plying of Taurus tippers, National Permit lorries and other multi-axle heavy duty vehicles on public place in Pathanamthitta District.

Sd/-

ANIL K. NARENDRAN, JUDGE Sd/-


                                       P.G. AJITHKUMAR, JUDGE


jg
 W.P.(C)No.40896 of 2022
                                   15




                   APPENDIX OF W.P.(C)NO.40896 OF 2022

PETITIONER EXHIBITS

ExhibitP1                 THE NEWS PUBLISHED IN MLALAYALA
                          MANORAMA DAILY DATED 6/12/20222 WITH
                          RESPECT TO THE PLYING OF TORUS TIPPERS
                          AND LORRIES EVEN DURING THE SCHOOL TIME
                          THROUGH THE ERUMELI-SABARIMALA BYPASS
                          ROAD

Exhibit P2                THE PHOTOGRAPHS SHOWING THE BLOCKADE,
                          TRAFFIC JAMS, ACCIDENTS AND DANGEROUS
                          PLYING OF TORUS TIPPERS THROUGH THE
                          ERUMELI-PAMPA VALLEY BYPASS ROAD

Exhibit P3                TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 25/11/2022
                          ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT STOPPING
                          THE EXCAVATION AND TRANSPORTING OF
                          EARTH THROUGH THE ERUMELI-SABARIMALA
                          BYPASS ROAD.

Exhibit P4                TRUE COPY OF THE NEWS PUBLISHED IN
                          MALAYALA MANORAMA DAILY DATED
                          19/11/2022 DESCRIBING ABOUT THE
                          ACCIDENT AND THE NEWS OF STOPPAGE OF
                          PLYING BUSES OF THE PILGRIMS THROUGH
                          THE ERUMELI - PAMBA VALLEY BYPASS ROAD

Exhibit P5                TRUE COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION ISSUED
                          TO THE 5TH RESPONDENT DATED 9/12/2022

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