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Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
Amend motor vehicle rules to punish share autos: HC directs state
1 2 3 Madurai: Calling for stringent action against share auto drivers who drive in a rash and negligent manner and carry more passengers than the prescribed limit, thus causing fatal accidents, Madras high court has directed the principal secretary of the transport department to bring a suitable amendment to the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles Rules. This amendment aims to cancel the permit, seize, and confiscate the share autos involved in violations. Justice K K Ramakrishnan observed that the menace of accidents due to drunken driving cannot be lightly dealt with, particularly in the case of share autos. It is common knowledge that auto drivers operate their vehicles in a rash and negligent manner, often stopping abruptly in the middle of the road. Therefore, they must be dealt with strictly. Carrying more passengers should also be viewed seriously. The judge noted that the court repeatedly directed govt authorities to check the number of people carried in share autos and their manner of driving. Police submitted a report on cases registered against share autos regarding accidents, both fatal and non-fatal, overloading of passengers and goods, and traffic violations from 2008 to Nov 2024. Although the data is alarming, the state govt is not taking cognizance of the alarming rate of violations, which result in the loss of human life. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Hence, the judge gave the direction to the principal secretary. The judge also directed the framing of a proper rule for the seizure and confiscation of share autos in the event of dangerous driving and carrying more people. The principal secretary was instructed to submit a report on the action taken based on the above directions, with the case posted for reporting compliance on Aug 22. The court passed the order while hearing an appeal preferred by Chellapandian, challenging the conviction and sentence imposed on him by the additional district and sessions court in Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram district. The prosecution's case is that Chellapandian was driving his auto with 10 passengers in a drunken state in a rash and negligent manner on the evening of Oct 27, 2015. Due to this, the auto collided with a police van on the Kamuthi-Madurai road on the outskirts of Pasumpon village. Three people died on the spot, and others sustained injuries. The Kamuthi police arrested Chellapandian. In 2019, the trial court convicted and sentenced Chellapandian to two years of rigorous imprisonment. The judge observed that every driver is the custodian of the passengers and has a duty to drive carefully. The present case is a typical example of the appellant acting contrary to the rules of driving, showing total disregard for public safety. The court feels that the appellant does not deserve any reduction of sentence. Hence, the judge dismissed the appeal and confirmed the conviction and sentence imposed by the trial court. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
New Indian Express
24-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Madras HC orders crackdown on overloaded share autos; calls for permit cancellation and vehicle seizure
MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Principal Secretary of the State Transport Department to amend the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, to allow for the cancellation of permits and the seizure and confiscation of share autos that carry more passengers than permitted. Justice K.K. Ramakrishnan issued the direction last week while dismissing an appeal filed by a share auto driver, Chellapandian, who challenged his conviction by the Paramakudi Sessions Court. The court had sentenced Chellapandian to two years' imprisonment in 2019 for driving under the influence, resulting in an accident that claimed three lives in Ramanathapuram district in 2015. The judge emphasized that every driver is a custodian of passengers and must drive responsibly. However, many auto drivers continue to operate recklessly, overloading their vehicles and disregarding traffic laws.
