ROBIN S. Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner, the proprietor of M/s. Angel Marketing is aggrieved by the inaction of respondents 2 to 4 in not taking the necessary steps to transfer the registration of an Ambassador car bearing Registration No. KL-01-AZ-163, which was purchased by him in an auction from the 5th respondent. The petitioner purchased the said vehicle, which was under the ownership of the Government Central Press, in an auction sale conducted on 4/7/2025 pursuant to proceedings issued by the Director of the Printing Department, granting sanction by letter dtd. 4/6/2025, and conducted through M/s. MSTC (Metal Scrap Trade Corporation Ltd.). The car was put up for online auction, and the petitioner, being the highest bidder, offered a sum of Rs.1,06,002.00. The sale was confirmed in his favour, and the entire amount, inclusive of GST, was remitted. Thereafter, the Director of Printing passed Ext.P2 order dtd. 11/8/2025, releasing the vehicle to the petitioner.

(2.) The petitioner immediately applied under Sec. 50 of the Motor Vehicles Act, along with the relevant records, before the 4th respondent. The 4th respondent conducted a personal hearing; however, the transfer was not effected as the petitioner was unable to remit the fee required through the 'Parivahan portal', since the tax particulars had not been updated, the vehicle being a Government vehicle exempted from payment of road tax. The hearing was conducted by the 4th respondent on 16/8/2025 itself, but no steps were taken to update the tax details of the vehicle, and consequently, the transfer was not materialised. Ext.P3 letter was issued by the 5th respondent to the 4th respondent requesting updation of the registration validity particulars of the vehicle, and the petitioner also submitted Ext.P4 representation dtd. 25/8/2025 seeking immediate intervention.

(3.) The certificate of registration of the said car was originally valid for a period of fifteen years and expired on 17/8/2025. The petitioner contends that both the purchase of the vehicle and the application for change of ownership were made while the registration was valid. The fee could not be remitted as the tax details were not updated in the Parivahan portal, and due to the delay on the part of respondents 2 to 4, the petitioner was unable to effect the transfer of ownership before the expiry of the registration. The petitioner therefore prays that respondents 2 to 4 be directed to take immediate steps to transfer the registration and ownership of the car bearing No. KL-01-AZ-163 in favour of the petitioner with effect from 16/8/2025 and to make the necessary updates in the Parivahan portal pertaining to the vehicle.