Baskar vs The Regional Transport Autho

Court
Madras High Court

WP(MD) Nos. 12677, 12678 & 21665 to 21667 of 2026
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED: 27-10-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE SENTHILKUMAR
RAMAMOORTHY
WP(MD) Nos. 12677, 12678, 21665 to 21667 of 2026
CNR:{HCMD011049632026}
and
W.M.P.(MD) Nos. 9511, 9516, 16124, 16125, 16127 to 16130 & 18627
of 2026
M.Velayutham ... Petitioner in
W.P.(MD) No.21665
& 12678 of 2026
N.Chinna Gounder ... Petitioner in
W.P.(MD) Nos.21666
& 21667 of 2026
Baskar … Petitioner in
W.P.(MD) No.12677
of 2026
Vs
1. The Regional Transport Authority Cum the District Collector,
Tiruchirappalli District,
Tiruchirappalli.
2. The Regional Transport Officer,
Tiruchirappalli West,
Tiruchirappalli District.
3. S.Jothimani ... Respondents
in all W.Ps
PRAYER IN W.P(MD)Nos.21665 to 21667 of 2026: Writ Petitions
filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of
Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records pertaining the impugned
order dated 20.07.2026 in R.No.11257/A2/2025, R.No.11254/A2/2025
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WP(MD) Nos. 12677, 12678 & 21665 to 21667 of 2026
and R.No.11255/A2/2025, respectively, of the 1st respondent and quash
the same as illegal and consequently restore the permit dated 22.10.2025
in R.No.11257/A2/2025, R.No.11254/A2/2025 and
R.No.11255/A2/2025, respectively.
PRAYER IN W.P(MD)Nos.12677 & 12678 of 2026: Writ Petitions
filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of
Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records pertaining the impugned
orders dated 16.04.2026 in R.P.Nos.11 & 13 of 2025, respectively, on the
file of the State Transport Appellate Tribunal and quash the same as
illegal and consequently direct the respondents 1 and 2 to restore the
permit dated 28.10.2025 and 22.10.2025 in R.No.11253/A2/2025, and
R.No.11257/A2/2025, respectively.
For petitioner : Mr. J.Anandkumar
(in all W.Ps)
For R1 & R2 : Mr.R.Parthiban
(in all W.Ps) Special Government Pleader
For R3 : Mr.A.C.Asaithambi
(in all W.Ps)
COMMON ORDER
The order dated 20.07.2026 of the Regional Transport Authority,
Tiruchirappalli, is challenged in the Writ Petitions in W.P.(MD)
Nos.21665 to 21667 of 2026 primarily on the ground that the petitioners’
contentions were not dealt with therein.
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WP(MD) Nos. 12677, 12678 & 21665 to 21667 of 2026
2. Relying on the written statement submitted before the Regional
Transport Authority on 09.07.2026, learned counsel for the petitioners
submits that the said contentions were not engaged with in the impugned
order. He adds that this aspect was taken note of by this Court while
granting an interim stay at the time of admission.
3. Responding to these submissions, Mr.R.Parthiban, learned
Special Government Pleader, points out that the order records that the
actual total length of the route stands at 25.6 kilometres, which exceeds
the maximum permissible statutory threshold of 25 kilometres. He also
points out that the said order records that the served sector spans 13
kilometres, which exceeds the maximum permissible limit of 35%.
4. Learned counsel for the third respondent submits that the order
impugned herein is the subject of an appeal filed by the third respondent.
He also submits that the total length and served sector cannot be
adjudicated in summary proceedings before this Court.
5. In the written statement of the petitioners, there is reference to an
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WP(MD) Nos. 12677, 12678 & 21665 to 21667 of 2026
application dated 25.05.2026 seeking modification in terms of Section
80(3) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. A copy of the said application has
been handed over by learned counsel for the petitioners. The written
statement also contains an explanation with regard to the calculation of
the served sector. Said explanation is set out below:
" 26/05/2026- STAT - MVI
கடந்த ம் ஆண்டு ன் உத்தரவு படி மணப்பாறை
கூட்டாய்வுசெய்தபோ துநொ ச்சிமேடு to விடத்திலாம்பட்டிபிரிவுவரைஉள்ள 2.0
. Served Sector .
கி மிசாலையை ஆககணக்கில்எடுத்துக்கொ ண்டனர் காரணம்
அவ்வழித்தடத்தில்தற்போ தைய G.O. 198 - யின்மினிபேருந்துஅனுமதிசீட்டு
2.0 . . Served Sector G.O. 198 (Home
வழங்கியுள்ளதால்மேற்படி கி மி தூரம் என்று
Dept) Date 28/04/2025
Vw;Gilajy;y ”
6. In the impugned order, it is recorded as follows:
“ On careful perusal of the documents, the joint survey
report, and the written submission by the permit holder, it is
conclusively found that the permit was issued in direct
violation of the guidelines of the "New Comprehensive Mini
Bus Scheme 2024". The explanations offered by the permit
holder are found to be unsatisfactory and untenable under
the statutory scheme.”
7. As can be seen from the above, the Regional Transport
Authority recorded that the explanation of the permit holder was found to
be unsatisfactory and untenable. The reasons for recording such
conclusion are not discernible from the order. Additionally, the request
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WP(MD) Nos. 12677, 12678 & 21665 to 21667 of 2026
for modification was not dealt with therein. Since the decision-making
process is flawed, reconsideration is necessary. Therefore, the impugned
orders in W.P.(MD) Nos.21665 to 21667 of 2026 are set aside and the
matters are remanded to the Regional Transport Authority for
reconsideration. After providing a reasonable opportunity to the
petitioners and the third respondent, fresh orders shall be issued within
three (3) months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
8. Accordingly, Writ Petitions in W.P.(MD) Nos.21665 to 21667 of
2026 stand disposed of on the above terms. In view of the above
conclusion, W.P.(MD) Nos.12677 & 12678 of 2026 are rendered
infructuous. Consequently, the said Writ Petitions are dismissed as
infructuous. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected
miscellaneous petitions are closed.
27-10-2026
Index: Yes/No
Speaking/Non-speaking order
Neutral Citation: Yes/No
apd
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WP(MD) Nos. 12677, 12678 & 21665 to 21667 of 2026
To
1. The Regional Transport Authority cum The District Collector
Tiruchirappalli District,
Tiruchirappalli.
2. The Regional Transport Officer
Tiruchirappalli West,
Tiruchirappalli District.
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WP(MD) Nos. 12677, 12678 & 21665 to 21667 of 2026
SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY, J.
apd
WP(MD) Nos. 12677, 12678 & 21665 to 21667 of 2026
27-10-2026
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