Janak Kumar Mishra vs State of Jharkhand and Others

Now the report has been filed by the learned Advocate General today on 8th October, 2007. The report indicated that meeting was convened on 24th September, 2007, attended by various officers as well as the learned Advocate, appearing for the petitioner. From the repost it is clear that the Assistant Commissioner, Transport Department, Jharkhand, Ranchi, has already issued, notice to the public, inviting applications for road permits in respect of four routes in accordance with the order dated 14.8.2007, passed by this Court. The Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Ranchi, has informed the learned Advocate General on 4.10.2007 that 10 City Buses have already started plying in the town of Ranchi and those buses are being regularly plied, details of which are as under:

_____________________________________________________________________ Sl. Route Permit Vehicle Present No. No. No. position _____________________________________________________________________ 1. Kanke Mental Hospital to 48/07 JH 06-B Plying Project Building Chowk 5805 via New Market. Sujata Cinema. Doranda. Hinoo. Birsa Chowk. H.E.C. _____________________________________________________________________ 2. Government Bus Stand to 47/07 JH 02E- Plying Jhiri via Kantatoli. 3721 Circular Road. 46/07 JH 9A Plying 5381 40/07 JH IM- Plying 4259 _____________________________________________________________________ 3. Govt. Bus Stand to I.T.I. 44/07 JH 01P- Plying via Kantotoli. Piska More 0067 41/07 JH OIN- Plying 7767 43/07 JH OIT- Plying 5583 42/07 JH 01T- Plying 5582 _____________________________________________________________________ 2. On all the aforesaid three routes total 10 City Buses are plying.

It is also mentioned in the report that though the competent authorities of the State are taking actions for issuance of permits for City Bus Service in respect of the routes, mentioned in the order of this Court dated 14.8.2007, the operators are not coming forward due to apprehension of the problems to be created by the Auto Rikshaw/Minidoor owners. It is further stated in the report that they are awaiting receipt of the applications in respect to the routes, mentioned in the order dated 14.8.2007, as sufficient advertisements have been give through the newspapers. Now the authorities apprehend that unless proper protection is given to the City Buses, there is every likelihood that more and more bus owners may not come forward to apply for permits, in view of the fact that the auto Rikshaw and Minidoor owners may create problem and disturb the law and order situation. Therefore, the learned Advocate General requested this Court for appropriate order, directing the authorities concerned, including the Deputy Commissioner, Senior Superintendent of Police, Ranch! and Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Ranchi, to provide protection to the City buses, plying now on the routes, and for taking action against the Auto Rikshaw and Minidoors owners, if they illegally try to create unnecessary disturbance.

The order has been issued by this Court only for providing facilities to the general public of Ranchi and, therefore, this order shall be complied with in true spirit by the authorities concerned. If any untoward incidence happens through the Auto Rikshaw and Minidoor owners, interfering with the plying of the city Buses, the authorities are empowered to take appropriate action to avoid those incidences and are also directed to do so. The authorities are also directed to take appropriate action against the persons, creating disturbance, to ensure compliance of the order, passed by this Court and now it would be appropriate to wait for some more time so that new persons may come forward, applying for road permits.

Post this matter, accordingly, on 22nd November, 2007.

In the meantime, again fresh advertisement can be issued by the authorities concerned. Let a copy of this order be handed over to the learned Counsel for the parties.