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2012 DIGILAW 895 (MAD)

Ashok Sarrangan v. Regional Transport Officer

2012-02-21

M.JAICHANDREN

body2012
Judgment :- 1. Mr.M.L.Mahendran, learned Government Advocate takes notice for the respondents. 2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate for the respondent. 3. The learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner had submitted that the petitioner is a "Business Consultant". He has been rendering professional services for corporate industries. He has been operating from his principal place of business at Pondicherry. However, he has been frequently visiting various places in the state of Tamil Nadu, using his SKODA car, bearing Registration No.PYO1 BM 2266. Whileso, the respondent has issued the impugned order asking the petitioner to pay the road tax applicable to the State of Tamilnadu, within a period of seven days from the date of receipt of a copy of the said order, failing which necessary action will be initiated against the petitioner, as per Section 18-A of the Tamilnadu Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1974. The learned counsel for the petitioner had further stated that the petitioner had submitted a reply, dated 01.02.2012, to the impugned order, issued by the respondent, dated 20.01.2012. However, the respondent had not passed any order thereon, till date. 4. The learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respondent would submit, on instructions, that the respondent may be directed to consider the reply submitted by the petitioner, on 01.02.2012, and to pass appropriate orders, on merits and in accordance with law, within a stipulated period. 5. In view of the above, the respondent is directed to consider the reply submitted by the petitioner, on 01.02.2012 and pass appropriate orders, on merits and in accordance with law, after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner, within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this Order. However, it is made clear that the respondent shall not initiate any action against the petitioner, pursuant to the impugned order passed by the respondent, until the respondent passes an order, as directed by this Court, by this order. The writ petition is ordered accordingly. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed.