G VEERAPPA PILLAI PROPRIETOR SATHI VILASBUS SERVICE PORAYAR TANJORE DISTRICT MADRAS Vs. RAMAN AND RAMAN LTD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal arises as the result of special leave to appeal granted by this Court on the 1st of May, 1951, against an order of the Madras High Court dated 13-4-51, quashing certain proceedings of the Regional Transport Authority, Tanjore, and the Central Traffic Board, Madras dated 19-1-1950 and 3-3-1950 respectively, and an order of the first respondent (the State of Madras) dated 7-11-1950, and directing the issue of Messrs. Raman and Raman Ltd., (Petitioners before the High Court) of permits for the five buses in respect of which a joint application had been made originally by them and one T. D. Balasubramania Pillai.

(2.) The present appellant, G. Veerappa Pillai, was the fourth respondent in the High Court, The present first respondents (Messrs. Raman and Raman Ltd.) were the petitioners before the High Court. Present respondents Nos. 2, 3 and 4 were respectively respondents Nos. 1, 2 and 3 before the High Court.

(3.) The dispute is between the appellant and Messrs. Raman and Raman Ltd., who were competing bus proprietors in the Tanjore District; and it is over the issues of five permanent permits for bus Nos. M.D.O. 81, M.D.O. 230, M.D.O. 6, M.D.O. 7 and M.D.O. 759 on the route between Kumbakonam and Karaikal. It has been a long drawn game with many moves, counter-moves, advances and checkmates, both sides displaying unusual assiduity and skill in their manoeuvres for position. But it is unnecessary to set in great detail all the steps taken, as they have been narrated in the order of High Court and many of them are of insignificant relevance for disposal of this appeal. I shall state here only what is material.