High Court rules against using All India Tourist Permit vehicles as stage carriages, allows fines for violations

KOCHI: The High Court has clarified that vehicles with an All-India Tourist Permit cannot function as stage carriages. It stated that fines can be imposed on such vehicles if they breach permit regulations. The Court's interim order came during the consideration of a petition by Punchiri Bus owners in Kollam who contested fines imposed by the Motor Vehicles Department.

Recently, the Motor Vehicle Department fined and impounded Robin bus operating on the Pathanamthitta-Coimbatore route. This action followed the Court's ruling that vehicles with an All-India Tourist Permit are not allowed to operate as stage carriages. The Court empowered the Motor Vehicle Department to penalize vehicles violating these regulations. It specified that 50% of the fine should be paid immediately, with the remaining amount contingent upon the case settlement.

Punchiri Travels, running bus services from Kollam and Kottiyam to Bengaluru, also faced fines from the Motor Vehicle Department for permit rule violations. The owners contested this fine in the High Court.