C. PAL PANDIAN Vs. REGIONAL TRANSPORT AUTHORITY, COIMBATORE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner has filed this writ petition for return of his driving licence, seized by the respondent without any endorsement, within a stipulated time.

(2.) In the supporting affidavit to this Writ Petition, the petitioner has averred that he has joined as a Driver in the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, Coimbatore and while he was on duty on 17/1/2023, the vehicle driven by him met with an accident, resulting in filing of FIR in Cr.No.30 for alleged offence under Ss. 279, 337 and 304-A of IPC and 194 (1) of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. He has further averred that his driving licence taken away by the Inspector of Police on 17/1/2023 and a show cause notice dtd. 24/1/2023 by the respondent herein was served upon the petitioner, wherein he was asked to submit his explanation within 10 days and he has also offered his explanation on 3/2/2023. On 6/2/2023, the respondent had issued the impugned order suspending the Driving Licence of the petitioner for the period of 5 Months 29 Days i.e., from 23/1/2023 to 22/7/2023 and hence, the writ petition.

(3.) Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Government Pleader, appearing on behalf of the respondent.