Madras High Court
S.Danalakshmi vs The Regional Transport Officer on 6 March, 2025
Author: J.Sathya Narayana Prasad
Bench: J.Sathya Narayana Prasad
W.P.No.7877 of 2025
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 06.03.2025
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE J.SATHYA NARAYANA PRASAD
W.P.No.7877 of 2025
... Petitioner
S.Danalakshmi
vs.
The Regional Transport Officer,
1.Salem East, Salem District. .. Respondent
Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for
issuance of a writ of Mandamus directing the respondent to receive the
application of the petitioner dated 20.01.2025 in Form CCPA along with
the prescribed fee through online for the grant of Auto Rickshaw Permit to
operate the vehicle within radius of 30 k.m. distance from Yercaud Bus
stand, Yercaud, Salem District and to consider the same and to pass orders
in accordance with law.
For Petitioner : Mr.A.Ganesan
For Respondent : Mr.E.Veda Bagath Singh
Spl.Govt.Pleader
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W.P.No.7877 of 2025
ORDER
. This writ petition has been filed to direct the respondent to receive the application of the petitioner dated 20.01.2025 in Form CCPA along with the prescribed fee through online for the grant of Auto Rickshaw Permit to operate the vehicle within radius of 30 k.m. distance from Yercaud Bus stand, Yercaud, Salem District .
2. The case of the petitioner is that in the year 2010, the State Government of Tamil Nadu issued orders to grant permits immediately on receipt of the applications. Therefore, the restrictions for the grant of Auto rickshaw permits were removed. From 2010 onwards, a good number of permits were granted, which is a boon for the Auto rickshaw Sector as well as self-employment. In these circumstances, the petitioner aspired to secure a fresh permit for Auto rickshaw and subsequently, on 20.01.2025, the petitioner went to the office of the Regional Transport Officer, Salem East, Salem District, the respondent herein, to submit the prescribed application for the grant of an Auto rickshaw Permit to operate the vehicle within 30 km radius distance from Yercaud Bus stand, Yercaud, Salem District. ____________ https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 24/03/2025 02:05:00 pm ) Page No.2 of 6 W.P.No.7877 of 2025 Whereas to her surprise, the respondent refused to receive the application and fee. Further they orally informed that they have received instructions from the office of the Transport Commissioner, State Transport Authority, Chepauk, Chennai-5 not to grant any fresh permits for Auto rickshaws.
3. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that this Court in W.P.No.12351 of 2020 was pleased to pass an order dated 06.10.2020 by quashing the Circular in Na.Ka.No.6213/2019, dated 21.11.2019, issued by the RTO, Salem, by holding that the respondent is directed to consider the application submitted by the petitioner for the grant of an auto rickshaw permits, and necessary orders shall be passed thereof.
4. In similar circumstances, this Court in W.P.Nos.14300 to 14305 of 2024 was pleased to pass an order dated 29.05.2024 by directing the respondent to receive the applications of the petitioner in Form CCPA along with the prescribed fee for the grant of an Auto Rickshaw Permit and consider the same on its own merits and in accordance with law and pass appropriate orders.
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5. Learned counsel would further submit that till date the officials of the respondent refused to receive the petitioner's application. Even if the application is sent by post, the same will not be considered by the respondent. Hence, the present writ petition is filed.
6. M/s.E.Veda Bagath Singh, learned Special Government Pleader takes notice on behalf of the respondent.
7. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record.
8. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner as well as learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondent are at idem that the matter was covered by the order of this Court in W.P.Nos.14300 to 14305 of 2024 in the case of N.Javied and others Vs. The Regional Transport Officer, Salem East, Salem District and others, which held as follows:-
“4. The issue involved in the present writ petitions were ____________ https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 24/03/2025 02:05:00 pm ) Page No.4 of 6 W.P.No.7877 of 2025 dealt in the earlier Writ Petition in W.P.No.18034 of 2020 dated 11.12.2020 and this Court had, issued direction to the concerned Regional Transport Officer to receive the application of the petitioner in Form CCPA along with the prescribed fee.
5. In the result, these writ petitions are disposed of, with a direction to the respondent to receive the applications of the petitioners dated 14.05.2024 in Form CCPA along with the prescribed fee for grant of Auto Rickshaw Permit and consider the same on its own merits and in accordance with law and pass appropriate orders, within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs.”
9. In view of the above ratio laid down by this Court in W.P.Nos.14300 to 14305 of 2024, the respondent is directed to receive the application of the petitioner dated 20.01.2025 in Form CCPA along with the prescribed fee through online for the grant of an Auto Rickshaw Permit to operate the vehicle within a radius of 30 Km distance from Yercaud Bus stand, Yercaud, Salem District, and pass appropriate orders on its merits, in accordance with law, within a period of eight (8) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
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kkd In the result, this writ petition stands disposed of with the above observations and direction. No costs.
06.03.2025
Index : Yes/No.
Internet : Yes/No.
Neutral Citation : Yes/No
Speaking : Non-speaking Order
kkd
To
The Regional Transport Officer,
Salem East, Salem District.
W.P.No.7877 of 2025
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