Harihar Prasad vs State of Jharkhand and Others

This writ petition has been preferred by the petitioner against the demand notice issued vide memo No. 1514/MVD JSR, dated 17th April, 2003, whereby and whereunder, he has been asked to deposit a sum of Rs. 44,337/~ as outstanding dues against the vehicle bearing registration No. BR 16P-9595 for evading Road Tax/and Additional Motor Vehicle Tax during the period from 5th May, 1994 till 31st March, 2000.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the aforesaid demand has been made merely on the basis of audit objection without any notice to the petitioner for the year 1999-2000. The authority has neither communicated anything nor raised any objection earlier. He further submitted that the petitioner has paid the total road tax amount as was due.

Having heard the counsel for the parties, we feel that the petitioner should bring the matter before the competent authority. If any objection is raised by the petitioner before the District Transport Officer, Jamshedpur within four weeks, the authority will decide the claim of the petitioner by passing a reasoned order. Till a final decision is taken, no coercive steps shall be taken against the petitioner.

The writ petition stands disposed of with aforesaid observations and directions.