Company fined for using vehicle flouting fitness norms

Mumbai: The Bombay high court has fined Integrated Siddhi Hospitality for using a vehicle for delivering food for more than eight years without converting it to run on CNG/LPG (compressed natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas) as stipulated in an order passed by it 13 years ago.

The company approached the court for the vehicle’s release as it was impounded by the Road Traffic Authority (RTA). The company gave an undertaking that it would ply the vehicle outside Mumbai limits only. In light of the undertaking and payment of Rs 10,000 fine, the court directed the RTA to release the vehicle.

A division bench of Justices S.S. Kemkar and B.P. Colabawalla was hearing a writ petition filed by Siddhi through advocate A.P. Madhuri claiming ownership of the vehicle that was impounded by the RTA. The advocate while admitting to the petitioners not abiding by the established rule, referred to several orders wherein such vehicles were released after the owners gave an undertaking and sought the vehicle’s release.

After hearing the petitioner, the court observed, “An order was made by the division bench of this court on March 3, 2004 in Writ Petition No.1762 of 2009 by which a direction was given to phase out eight years old transport vehicles from the city of Mumbai, unless the same are converted to run either on CNG or LPG. A direction was also issued in the said order that if in breach of the direction, any vehicle is found plying within the limits of Mumbai, the same shall be immediately impounded by the regional transport office.”