Latest news with #K.K.Ramakrishnan
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.
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- The Hindu
Frame rules to act against erring share autorickshaw drivers, says HC
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Transport Secretary to bring in a suitable amendment to the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicle Rules, and frame proper rules to take action such as cancellation of permit and seizure of share autorickshaws in the event of dangerous driving or overloading of the vehicles. Justice K.K. Ramakrishnan directed the Transport Secretary to rein in instances of share autorickshaws carrying more passengers than the legally permissible limit, and dangerous driving, which put pedestrians and drivers of other vehicles to hardship. 'Accidents due to drunk driving cannot be taken lightly. It is common knowledge that the autorickshaw drivers operate the vehicles in a rash and negligent manner. They are to be dealt with in a strict manner,' the court observed. 'Carrying more passengers than the permissible limit is to be viewed seriously. The drivers are the custodian of the passengers, and they have a duty to drive carefully. The court has time and again directed the authorities to monitor the share government is not taking cognisance of the alarming rate of violation and the consequential loss of human life,' the court said. It directed the Transport Secretary to submit a report on the action taken, and posted the matter to August 22 for reporting compliance. The court was hearing an appeal preferred by Chellapandian of Ramanathapuram district. In 2015, the appellant rode his share autorickshaw, carrying more than 10 passengers, in a rash and negligent manner under the influence of alcohol, and hit a police van on Madurai-Kamuthi Road. Three persons died on the spot and several others were injured. The Additional District and Sessions Court in Paramakudi sentenced him to two years' imprisonment. He challenged the judgment. The High Court observed that the appellant acted contrary to the rules, with total disregard for public safety, and dismissed the appeal.
The Hindu
14-05-2025
- The Hindu
HC summons Collectors on matters pertaining to ensuring participation of Scheduled Caste people in temple festivals
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday summoned Karur and Pudukkottai Collectors to appear before the court while hearing matters that sought directions to the authorities concerned to ensure the participation of Scheduled Caste people at temple festivals in the two districts. A Division Bench of Justices P. Velmurugan and K.K. Ramakrishnan directed Karur Collector, Inspector General of Police (Central Zone), Karur Superintendent of Police and other officials to be present before the court while hearing a public interest litigation petition filed by P. Ramesh of Nerur North in Manmangalam in Karur district. The petitioner said that the Vaikasi festival at Aravayee Amman Temple was scheduled to be held from May 21 to May 23. He said that for the past 15 years the temple car was not entering the area of the Scheduled Caste people, even after representations were made to the authorities in this regard. He sought a direction to the authorities to resolve the issue between the Scheduled Caste people and people belonging to a dominant intermediate Caste and take appropriate action to bring Aravayee Amman Temple car to the area of the Scheduled Caste people for the festival. The court posted the matter for hearing on Thursday. A mention was made before the court with regard to the clashes reported between the Scheduled Caste people and people belonging to a Most Backward Community in Vadakadu in Pudukkottai district. The petitioner S. Shanmugam of Karambakudi in Pudukkottai district said that a mob of more than 300 people belonging to the Most Backward Community had attacked the Scheduled Caste settlement injuring people and destroying their properties. He sought a direction to the authorities to ensure that the Scheduled Caste people were allowed to enter the temple and worship at the Mariamman temple in Vadakadu. He also sought a thorough investigation into the incident and adequate compensation be paid to the victims belonging to the Scheduled Caste. The court directed Pudukottai Collector, Inspector General of Police (Central Zone), Pudukkottai Superintendent of Police and other officials to be present before the court. Another mention was made before the court with regard to permitting the Scheduled Caste people to participate in Bhagavathi Amman temple festival in Porunthalur in Karur district. The petitioner, R. Subramani of Mettupatti in Kulithalai in Karur district, said that the Scheduled Caste people should be permitted to carry Mulaipari and Theechatti processions inside the temple. He also sought a direction to the authorities to end all forms of caste discrimination including the practices followed in tea and tiffin shops. The court directed Karur Collector, Inspector General of Police (Central Zone), Karur Superintendent of Police and other officials to be present before the court. The court posted the matters for hearing on Thursday.
