SANTOKH SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB & ANR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The complainant / petitioner purchased a trailer bearing chassis number MAT148050BOG12024 and Engine No. 11F84008693 for the purpose of earning his livelihood by means of self-employment and applied to the District Transport Office, Ferozepur for its registration. After obtaining registration number, he applied to the aforesaid office for issue of fitness in respect of the aforesaid vehicle on that registration number, which was valid upto 09.8.2013. He also obtained a permit for using the vehicle as a carriage of general goods on hire or rewards. This was followed by obtaining a national permit on the same registration number. The complainant had also got the said trailer insured from Cholamandalam Insurance Company.

(2.) When the complainant approached the office of the District Transport Office, Ferozepur on 11.8.2013 for renewal of the fitness certificate, he was told that registration number of his trailer had been issued to a bus and therefore he could obtain certificate of fitness on some other registration number. Despite repeated requests from the complainant, the District Transport Officer did not renew the fitness certificate on the same registration which it had issued to the complainant. Being aggrieved he approached the concerned District Forum by way of a complaint, seeking compensation from State of Punjab and the District Transport Officer, Ferozepur.

(3.) No written statement was filed by the opposite party before the District Forum. Vide order dated 28.4.2014, the District Forum directed the opposite parties to pay a sum of Rs.10,000/- as consolidated compensation to the complainant. They were also directed to correct the record and renew fitness certificate at the same registration number, which had been issued to the complainant.