Today, On 25th June, Supreme Court Orders Tamil Nadu to Permit Unrestricted Movement of All-India Permit Buses. The Supreme Court has instructed Tamil Nadu to allow the free movement of buses with All-India permits within the state.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed Tamil Nadu government authorities to permit All India Tourist Permit (AITP) vehicles to traverse the state without any obstruction.
A bench comprising Justices B V Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan issued a notice to the Tamil Nadu government and state transport authorities in response to a plea filed by K R Suresh Kumar and others, requesting their replies by August 12.
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The petitioners, who are inter-state bus operators holding AITPs, have sought the annulment of the state government’s orders dated November 6, 2023, and June 18. These orders mandated compulsory registration of all buses registered in other states with Tamil Nadu’s regional transport authorities for operation within the state.
In its interim order, the bench stated,
“In the meanwhile, the vehicles belonging to the petitioners having the All India Tourist Permit shall be allowed to pass through the state of Tamil Nadu without any hindrance or obstruction.”
The petitioners noted that they operate numerous buses to transport passengers from neighbouring Kerala and other states, and the vehicles must travel through Tamil Nadu due to the region’s topography.
The petitioners argued that the directives issued by the Tamil Nadu government contradict Section 46 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (MVA), which states that a motor vehicle registered in any state is valid throughout India.
They highlighted that in similar cases, the Supreme Court , on December 15, 2023, permitted bus operators to operate their vehicles in Tamil Nadu without needing to re-register in the state.
The petitioners contested a June 18 notification from the Tamil Nadu transport department, which mandates inter-state bus operators to register their vehicles within the state to regulate their movement.
The bus operators have requested the Supreme Court to direct the Tamil Nadu government and transport authorities to ensure that all inter-state buses with a valid AITP can pass through Tamil Nadu without any hindrance.
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