JOSE VARKEY Vs. STATE TRANSPORT AUTHORITY TRIVANDRUM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner is a stage carriage operator. He has got two buses having registration Nos. KL-6-4201 and KCF-9093. According to the petitioner, the buses having registration Nos. KL-8D-2349 and KL-8C 7362 are having permits to ply on the route Pala - Mangalore, which is an inter State route. Since these buses had stopped operation of services temporarily, petitioner applied for substitute permits for these two buses. The application was presented on 25.11.1999. It was granted on 22.12.1999. Copy of the order of the State Transport Authority is produced as Ext. P1. The order directs the petitioner to get counter signature from the State Transport Authority, Karnataka. Petitioner is aggrieved by this condition.

(2.) Permits granted were four months or till the earlier grantee starts operation, whichever is earlier. Petitioner filed appeal before the State Transport Appellate Tribunal, Ernakulam. The State Transport Appellate Tribunal has not disposed of the appeal and hence, the petitioner has approached this Court.

(3.) Learned counsel for the petitioner points out that so far as this case is concerned, need for the service on the route Pala - Mangalore was approved by the State Transport Authority, Kerala and the State Transport Authority, Karnataka. The permits issued by the State Transport Authority, Kerala have been counter signed by the State Transport Authority, Karnataka with regard to the service of the buses, KL-8D-2349 and KL-8C 7362.