AYYAPPAN Vs. STATE TRANSPORT AUTHORITY KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner, who is the holder of Ext.P1 permit on the route Gopalapuram-Cherplassery as limited stop ordinary service, in respect of stage carriage bearing Registration No.KL-09/V-6378, which is a 2003 model vehicle, has filed this writ petition under Art. 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a writ of certiorari to quash Ext.P3 decision of the State Transport Authority dated 14.06.2017 to the extent it fixes the age limit for limited stop ordinary services as a whole as ten years. The petitioner has also sought for a writ of mandamus to direct the State Transport Authority to reconsider the issue relating to the fixation of age limit of vehicles to be operated as limited stop ordinary services with notice and opportunity of being heard to the permit holders.

(2.) On 25.01.2018, when this petition came up for admission, the learned Government Pleader took notice for the respondents. This Court granted a direction to maintain status quo with respect to the decision of the State Transport Authority dated 14.06.2017 for a period of one month. The said interim order, which was extended from time to time, was in force till 03.12.2018.

(3.) Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and also the learned Government Pleader appearing for the respondents.