GOPAKUMAR C P Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner is aggrieved by the refusal on the part of respondents 2 and 3 to renew his driving licence with effect from the date of its expiry. The driving licence in question was renewed by the authorities only with effect from the date of the application.

(2.) Heard learned counsel for the petitioner as well as the learned Government Pleader.

(3.) The petitioner was the holder of a driving licence, valid during the period from 24.08.1999 to 23.08.2019. On 04.09.2019, the petitioner submitted application before the RTO, Kottayam, the jurisdiction within which he was conducting his business, seeking renewal of licence. The necessary fee for renewal was also paid on 04.09.2019 as is evident from Ext.P3. It appears that the second respondent returned the application directing the petitioner to produce it before the third respondent Joint RTO at Vaikom which is the place of residence of the petitioner. The application submitted pursuant thereto before the third respondent at Vaikom was granted, but renewing the licence with effect from 01.10.2019 which is the date of submission of application before the third respondent. The petitioner claims that he is entitled to have the licence renewed with effect from the date of expiry since he had submitted the application within the grace period of 30 days as is provided for in the proviso to Section 14(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act (hereinafter referred to as the "Act").