## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM**
## **PRESENT:**
## **THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SHAJI P.CHALY**
## **WEDNESDAY, THE 1ST DAY OF JUNE 2016/11TH JYAISHTA, 1938**
## **WP(C).No. 18185 of 2016 (W)**
**----------------------------**
## **PETITIONER(S):**
**1. SOMAN V.,**
- **S/O.KRISHNAN.V, VATTATHODU HOUSE, ARAYI, PALAKKAL, KANHANGAD SOUTH POST.**
**2. JANARDANAN P.,**
- **S/O.DASAPPA NAYAK, PARAKKADAN HOUSE,**
**ATHIYAMBOOR, KANHANGAD, HOSDURG, KASARAGOD.**
**3. SUKUMARAN K.,**
- **S/O.KUNHAMBU, BAKKOTTU HOUSE, ARAYIKADAVU, KANHANGAD P.O., KASARAGOD.**
**4. SHAFEEQ M.,**
- **S/O.ABOOBACKER M., MANDIYAN, HOUSE, PADANNAKKAD P.O., KANHANGAD, KASARAGOD.**
**5. SIDHICK PUZHAKKARA, S/O.MAMMU C.H., NAAS MANZIL, P.O.PADANNAKKAD, KANHANGAD, KASARAGOD.**
## **6. ANEESH A.,**
- **S/O.RAGHAVAN B., KURUNTHOOR, PADANNAKKAD P.O., HOSDURG, KASARAGOD.**
**7. SARFU P., S/O.ABOOBACKER.M, KARAKKUNDU HOUSE, P.O.PADNEKKAD, KANHANGAD, KASARAGOD.**
**8. SASI P., S/O.POKKAYI M.V., OZHINHAVALAPPU HOUSE, OZHINHAVALAPPU CROSS ROAD, KASARAGOD.**
**9. ANEESH D.K., S/O.D.K.BHASKARAN, KURUTHUR HOUSE, PADANNAKKAD P.O., KASARAGOD.**
**10. VIJAYAN M., S/O.NARAYANAN 302(17/515)16, MOOLAKKAL HOUSE, ARAYI KARTHIKA, KANHANGAD SOUTH P.O., KANHANGAD MUNICIPALITY, KASARAGOD.**
_**WP(C).No. 18185 of 2016 (W)**_
**11. JANARDANAN,**
- **S/O.KANNAN, H.NO.101/23, OZHINHAVALAPPU P.O., KANHANGAD MUNICIPALITY, KASARAGOD.**
**12. KUNHIKRISHNAN K., S/O.KANNAN N., H.NO.13/355, KANDANKADAVU HOUSE, MURIYANAVI, KANHANGAD P.O., KASARAGOD.**
**13. RAJU M., S/O.MADHAVAN, 5/158(8/343), ATHIKOTH, A.C.NAGAR, BALLA P.O., CHEMMATTAVAYAL, KASARAGOD.**
**14. ANIL V.V., S/O.NARAYANAN, 13/52 F, KANHANGAD, KADAPPURAM, KANHANGAD SOUTH P.O., KASARAGOD.**
**15. MUHAMMED KUNHI K.H.,**
- **S/O.ANDUMAYI.K.H, KHM MANZIL, BELLA KADAPPURAM, HOSDURG, KANHANGAD P.O., KASARAGOD.**
**16. RAJEEVAN K.,**
- **S/O.DAMODARAN K., 21/32, BELLA KADAPPURAM, KANHANGAD, KASARAGOD.**
**17. SUNEESH A.,**
- **S/O.MOHANAN P., ARAYI PALAKKAL, KANHANGAD SOUTH P.O., KASARAGOD.**
**18. SANKARA.H**
- **S/O.KRISHNAYYA, NEAR NITYANANDA ASRAM, HOSDURG P.O., KANHANGAD, KASARAGOD.**
**19. SHIEK ANIEF,**
**S/O. RABIYABI, 12/204(31/368), SHABEENA MANZIL, P.O. KANHANGAD KUSHAL NAGAR, KASARAGOD.**
**20. MUHAMMED IQBAR AVIYIL, S/O.KUNHABDULLA, ARAJH MANZIL, KANNIKULANGARA, P.O.BELLIKOTH, KASARAGOD.**
**21. VIJALAL M.G., S/O.GOPALAN M.K., MULLU, VENGAPURATH, KOTTAPPARA, PULLUR P.O., AMBALATHARA, ANANDASHARAM, KASARAGOD.**
**22. AHAMMADALI, S/O.MUHAMMADKUNHI P.S., 27 A/123, OZHINHAVALAPPU HOUSE, OZHINHAVALAPPU P.O., KANHANGAD MUNICIPALITY, KASARAGOD.**
**23. SASIDHARAN S/O.NARAYANAN NAIR A., AKASH, MOOVARIKUNDU, KURUNTHUR, PADNEKKAD.**
_**WP(C).No. 18185 of 2016 (W)**_
**24. FATHIMA L.K., S/O.KUTTY, 15/68(16/499), C.K.(H), KOOLIANGAL, KANHANGAD P.O., KASARAGOD.**
**25. VINOD K., S/O.KUMBA K., 14/406, LAKSHMI NAGAR, THERUVATH, KANHANGAD P.O., KASARAGOD.**
**26. AJAYAKUMAR T.V., S/O.KUMARAN T.V., H.NO.51B/5, THANATHVALAPPIL HOUSE, NELLIKATT, BALL P.O., KASARAGOD.**
**27. MADHU K.,**
- **S/O.KOTTAN, 8/297, KALYANIKKORA, BALLA P.O., KANHANGAD, MUNICIPALITY, KASARAGOD.**
**28. PRABHATH B., S/O.RADHA 11/64(38/389), BATHERIKKAL(H), BALLA KADAPPURAM, KANHANGAD P.O., KASARAGOD.**
**29. RAKESH P., S/O.BALAN P., KUTTIKKAL HOUSE, HOSDURG, BALLA P.O., KASARAGOD.**
**BY ADVS. SRI.M.SHAJU PURUSHOTHAMAN SRI.K.S.RAJESH SRI.MURUGAN P.V. SRI. M.SUKUMARAN**
**RESPONDENT(S):**
**1. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY, MOTOR VEHICLES DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 001.**
**2. THE REGIONAL TRANSPORT AUTHORITY, KASARAGOD DISTRICT, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, R.T.O., KANHANGAD 685 389.**
**3. THE REGIONAL TRANSPORT OFFICER, KANHANGAD, KASARAGOD DISTRICT - 685 309.**
**BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT.K.A.SANJEETHA**
**THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 01-06-2016, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:**
**rvs.**
_**WP(C).No. 18185 of 2016 (W)**_
## **APPENDIX**
## **PETITIONER(S)' EXHIBITS :**
**EXHIBIT-P1: THE TRUE COPY OF THE CONTRACT CARRIAGE PERMIT OF THE 1ST PETITIONER DT.5.10.2015. EXHIBIT-P1(A): THE TRUE COPY OF THE CONTRACT CARRIAGE PERMIT OF THE 2ND PETITIONER DT.29.4.2016. EXHIBIT-P1(B): THE TRUE COPY OF THE CONTRACT CARRIAGE PERMIT OF THE 3RD PETITIONER DT.24.3.2015. EXHIBIT-P1(C): THE TRUE COPY OF THE CONTRACT CARRIAGE PERMIT OF THE 4TH PETITIONER DT.13.1.2016. EXHIBIT-P1(D): THE TRUE COPY OF THE CONTRACT CARRIAGE PERMIT OF THE 5TH PETITIONER DT.29.1.2016. EXHIBIT-P1(E): THE TRUE COPY OF THE CONTRACT CARRIAGE PERMIT OF THE 6TH PETITIONER DT.20.2.2016. EXHIBIT-P1(F): THE TRUE COPY OF THE CONTRACT CARRIAGE PERMIT OF THE 7TH PETITIONER DT.19.10.2015. EXHIBIT-P1(G): THE TRUE COPY OF THE CONTRACT CARRIAGE PERMIT OF THE 8TH PETITIONER DT.16.1.2016. EXHIBIT-P1(H): THE TRUE COPY OF THE CONTRACT CARRIAGE PERMIT OF THE 9TH PETITIONER DT.21.8.2015. EXHIBIT-P1(I): THE TRUE COPY OF THE CONTRACT CARRIAGE PERMIT OF THE 10TH PETITIONER DT.13.4.2012. EXHIBIT-P1(J): THE TRUE COPY OF THE CONTRACT CARRIAGE PERMIT OF THE 11TH PETITIONER DT.10.10.2011. EXHIBIT-P1(K): THE TRUE COPY OF THE CONTRACT CARRIAGE PERMIT OF THE 12TH PETITIONER DT.17.12.2015. EXHIBIT-P1(L): THE TRUE COPY OF THE CONTRACT CARRIAGE PERMIT OF THE 13TH PETITIONER DT.11.5.2012. EXHIBIT-P1(M): THE TRUE COPY OF THE CONTRACT CARRIAGE PERMIT OF THE 14TH PETITIONER DT.5.1.2013. EXHIBIT-P1(N): THE TRUE COPY OF THE CONTRACT CARRIAGE PERMIT OF THE 15TH PETITIONER DT.31.10.2015. EXHIBIT-P1(O): THE TRUE COPY OF THE CONTRACT CARRIAGE PERMIT OF THE 16TH PETITIONER DT.28.2.2015. EXHIBIT-P1(P): THE TRUE COPY OF THE CONTRACT CARRIAGE PERMIT OF THE 17TH PETITIONER DT.29.3.2016.**
_**WP(C).No. 18185 of 2016 (W)**_
**EXHIBIT-P1(Q): THE TRUE COPY OF THE CONTRACT CARRIAGE PERMIT OF THE 18TH PETITIONER DT.2.4.2016.**
**EXHIBIT-P1(R): THE TRUE COPY OF THE CONTRACT CARRIAGE PERMIT OF THE 19TH PETITIONER DT.17.12.2012.**
**EXHIBIT-P1(S): THE TRUE COPY OF THE CONTRACT CARRIAGE PERMIT OF THE 20TH PETITIONER DT.16.4.2015.**
**EXHIBIT-P1(T): THE TRUE COPY OF THE CONTRACT CARRIAGE PERMIT OF THE 21ST PETITIONER DT.11.6.2015.**
**EXHIBIT-P1(U): THE TRUE COPY OF THE CONTRACT CARRIAGE PERMIT OF THE 22ND PETITIONER DT.22.10.2012.**
**EXHIBIT-P1(V): THE TRUE COPY OF THE CONTRACT CARRIAGE PERMIT OF THE 23RD PETITIONER DT.7.5.2012.**
**EXHIBIT-P1(W): THE TRUE COPY OF THE CONTRACT CARRIAGE PERMIT OF THE 24TH PETITIONER DT.19.11.2012.**
**EXHIBIT-P1(X): THE TRUE COPY OF THE CONTRACT CARRIAGE PERMIT OF THE 25TH PETITIONER DT.24.1.2014.**
**EXHIBIT-P1(Y): THE TRUE COPY OF THE CONTRACT CARRIAGE PERMIT OF THE 26TH PETITIONER DT.19.7.2013.**
**EXHIBIT-P1(Z): THE TRUE COPY OF THE CONTRACT CARRIAGE PERMIT OF THE 27TH PETITIONER DT.17.2.2012. EXHIBIT-P1(AA):THE TRUE COPY OF THE CONTRACT CARRIAGE PERMIT OF THE 28TH PETITIONER DT.14.8.2013.**
**EXHIBIT-P1(AB):THE TRUE COPY OF THE CONTRACT CARRIAGE PERMIT OF THE 29TH PETITIONER DT.28.4.2016.**
**EXHIBIT-P2: THE TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PERMIT CONDITION SUBMITTED BY THE 1ST PETITIONER DT.20.4.2016. EXHIBIT-P2(A): THE TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PERMIT CONDITION SUBMITTED BY THE 2ND PETITIONER DT.20.4.2016. EXHIBIT-P2(B): THE TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PERMIT CONDITION SUBMITTED BY THE 3RD PETITIONER DT.20.4.2016. EXHIBIT-P2(C): THE TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PERMIT CONDITION SUBMITTED BY THE 4TH PETITIONER DT.20.4.2016. EXHIBIT-P2(D): THE TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PERMIT CONDITION SUBMITTED BY THE 5TH PETITIONER DT.20.4.2016.**
_**WP(C).No. 18185 of 2016 (W)**_
**EXHIBIT-P2(E): THE TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PERMIT CONDITION SUBMITTED BY THE 6TH PETITIONER DT.20.4.2016. EXHIBIT-P2(F): THE TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PERMIT CONDITION SUBMITTED BY THE 7TH PETITIONER DT.20.4.2016. EXHIBIT-P2(G): THE TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PERMIT CONDITION OF THE 8TH PETITIONER DT.20.4.2016. EXHIBIT-P2(H): THE TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PERMIT CONDITION OF THE 9TH PETITIONER DT.20.4.2016. EXHIBIT-P2(I): THE TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PERMIT CONDITION OF THE 10TH PETITIONER DT.20.4.2016. EXHIBIT-P2(J): THE TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PERMIT CONDITION OF THE 11TH PETITIONER DT.20.4.2016. EXHIBIT-P2(K): THE TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PERMIT CONDITION OF THE 12TH PETITIONER DT.20.4.2016. EXHIBIT-P2(L): THE TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PERMIT CONDITION OF THE 13TH PETITIONER DT.20.4.2016. EXHIBIT-P2(M): THE TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PERMIT CONDITION OF THE 14TH PETITIONER DT.20.4.2016. EXHIBIT-P2(N): THE TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PERMIT CONDITION OF THE 15TH PETITIONER DT.20.4.2016. EXHIBIT-P2(O): THE TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PERMIT CONDITION OF THE 16TH PETITIONER DT.20.4.2016. EXHIBIT-P2(P): THE TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PERMIT CONDITION OF THE 17TH PETITIONER DT.20.4.2016. EXHIBIT-P2(Q): THE TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PERMIT CONDITION OF THE 18TH PETITIONER DT.20.4.2016. EXHIBIT-P2(R): THE TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PERMIT CONDITION OF THE 19TH PETITIONER DT.20.4.2016. EXHIBIT-P2(S): THE TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PERMIT CONDITION OF THE 20TH PETITIONER DT.20.4.2016. EXHIBIT-P2(T): THE TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PERMIT CONDITION OF THE 21ST PETITIONER DT.20.4.2016. EXHIBIT-P2(U): THE TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PERMIT CONDITION OF THE 22ND PETITIONER DT.20.4.2016. EXHIBIT-P2(V): THE TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PERMIT CONDITION OF THE 23RD PETITIONER DT.20.4.2016.**
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**EXHIBIT-P2(W): THE TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PERMIT CONDITION OF THE 24TH PETITIONER DT.20.4.2016.**
**EXHIBIT-P2(X): THE TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PERMIT CONDITION OF THE 25TH PETITIONER DT.20.4.2016.**
**EXHIBIT-P2(Y): THE TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PERMIT CONDITION OF THE 26TH PETITIONER DT.20.4.2016.**
**EXHIBIT-P2(Z): THE TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PERMIT CONDITION OF THE 27TH PETITIONER DT.20.4.2016.**
**EXHIBIT-P2(AA):THE TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PERMIT CONDITION OF THE 28TH PETITIONER DT.20.4.2016.**
**EXHIBIT-P2(AB):THE TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PERMIT CONDITION OF THE 29TH PETITIONER DT.20.4.2016.**
**EXHIBIT-P3: THE TRUE COPY OF THE JDUGMENT IN W.P.(C) 7663/2015 DT.11.3.2015.**
**RESPONDENT(S)' EXHIBITS:**
**NIL.**
**/TRUE COPY/**
**P.A.TO JUDGE**
**rvs.**
## **SHAJI P. CHALY, J.**
----------------------------------------------- **W.P.(C). No.18185 of 2016 ----------------------------------------------Dated this the 1[st] day of June, 2016**
## **JUDGMENT**
This writ petition is filed by the petitioners seeking direction to respondents 2 and 3 to accept Exts.P2 to P2(AB) applications for variation of conditions of permit submitted by the petitioners and grant variation as sought for in the application. The subject matter of this writ petition relates to the conditions imposed in contract carriage permit issued to the petitioners that petitioners should not park or pick up passengers within the Kanhangad city and the validity of such restrictions imposed in the permit.
2. Brief facts for the disposal of this writ petition are thus; petitioners are issued with contract carriage permit for the autorickshaws owned by them, evident from Exts.P1 and P1(AB). In the permit so issued a restriction is incorporated in the permit that vehicles should not park or pick up passengers within the Kasaragod city. The petitioners find it difficult to meet the ends
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by plying the autorickshaws at the present parking place where commuters are seldom. petitioners desire to ply the autorickshaws by parking it within the Kasaragod city where large number of commuters are available, whereas number of autorickshaws are inadequate to meet the requirement. petitioners submitted Ext.P2 series of applications for variation of the conditions of the permit. But respondents 2 and 3 are not prepared to accept the application for variation on conditions of permit based on the restrictions imposed by the Transport Commissioner as per circulars. It is the contention of the petitioners that application for variation of conditions of permit is to be considered individually and independently irrespective of the orders of higher authorities. It is also contended that the said question was considered by this court and settled the legal position in **Rajesh v. Secretary, RTA [** 2014(3) KLT 341]. Therefore, the grievance voiced by the petitioners in this writ petition is non- acceptance of applications and seeking a direction to accept the application seeking variation of
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conditions of permit and grant variation after hearing the parties.
3. Heard learned counsel for the petitioners and learned Government Pleader.
4. The subject issue in this writ petition is considered by this court in the decisions cited supra and has held that the respondent authorities are not empowered to impose the restrictions with number of permits to be issued in an area and that if at all any such restrictions are to be imposed in such manner only the State Government has the power by issuing a notification in that accord. This question was considered by this court in various other writ petitions and has held that the motor vehicles authorities are not empowered to issue such conditions on the permit on the basis of circulars issued by the Regional Transport Authority. In that view of the matter, I am of the considered opinion that petitioners are entitled to succeed in this writ petition.
5. Therefore, there will be a direction to respondents 2 and
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3 to accept applications for variation of conditions of permit from the petitioners and do the same in accordance with law as per the directions contained above and issued by this court in the decision cited supra.
Writ petition is allowed accordingly.
Sd/- **SHAJI P. CHALY JUDGE**
smv 02.06.2016