O. Pradeepan vs Secretary

The petitioner, who is a stage carriage operator on the route Thalappady - Thrissur via Kasaragod â€" Mavungal â€" Karivellur - Taliparamba â€

Kannur â€" Kozhikode â€" Ramanattukara â€" University - Edappal â€" Kunnamkulam, as Limited Stop Fast Passenger covered by Ext.P1 regular

permit, which was valid up to 27.01.2015, in respect of which an application for renewal is pending consideration, has filed this writ petition under

Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking a writ of mandamus commanding the respondent to consider and dispose of Ext.P7 application for re-

issue of temporary permit in respect of the vehicle bearing registration No.KL-13/AH-8545 on the aforesaid route and grant the same in continuation

of Ext.P6 temporary permit.

Going by the averments in the writ petition, the petitioner is plying the stage carriage bearing registration No.KL-13/AH-8545 on the route

Thalappady-Thrissur on the strength of Ext.P6 temporary permit, which was valid till 06.06.2019.

On 06.06.2019, when this writ petition came up for admission, the learned Government Pleader was directed to get instructions.

Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and also the learned Senior Government Pleader appearing for the respondent.

The learned Senior Government Pleader, on instructions, would submit that the respondent shall consider Ext.P7 application made by the petitioner

for re-issue of temporary permit on the route in question, with notice to the petitioner and after affording him an opportunity of being heard.

Having considered the submissions made by the learned counsel on both sides, this writ petition is disposed of by directing the respondent to consider

Ext.P7 application made by the petitioner and pass appropriate orders thereon, strictly in accordance with law, with notice to the petitioner and after

affording him an opportunity of being heard, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a

certified copy of this judgment.

Till such orders are passed, status quo as on 06.06.2019 shall be maintained, if the vacancy still exists.