heavy goods vehicles are loaded in excess of their capacity leading to damage to the roads. In certain cases, the authorities are passing orders suspending the permits depending upon the extent of overload. It is not known as to whether any order of suspension of permit has been passed against the petitioner.= Petitioner is the owner of a heavy goods vehicle bearing No. AP 28 TC 6669. On 07.02.2013, it was seized by the 3rd respondent on the ground that it was overloaded by about 7,270 kgs. The petitioner challenges the check report, under which the vehicle was seized.- Hence, the writ petition is disposed of, directing that the respondents shall release the vehicle in question by collecting the penalty of Rs.1,000/- per tonne for overload up to an extent of 15% of the maximum carrying capacity of the vehicle as entered in Registration Certificate and at the rate of Rs.2,000/- per tonne for any overload in excess of 15% of such capacity. Further, the release shall be only after the overload in the vehicle is off-loaded on the spot. The respondents shall return the original documents pertaining to the vehicle, if taken from the petitioner, duly retaining copies thereof. There shall be no order as to costs.

THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE L. NARASIMHA REDDY

WRIT PETITION No.3910 of 2013

 ORDER:                                                                         

          Petitioner is the owner of a heavy goods vehicle bearing No. AP 28 TC 6669.  On 07.02.2013, it was seized by the 3^rd respondent on the ground that it was overloaded by about       7,270 kgs. The petitioner challenges the check report, under which the vehicle was seized.

          Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader for Transport.

          In the recent past, the heavy goods vehicles are loaded in excess of their capacity leading to damage to the roads.  In certain cases, the authorities are passing orders suspending the permits depending upon the extent of overload.  It is not known as to whether any order of suspension of permit has been passed against the petitioner.

          The Motor Vehicles Act and the Rules made thereunder provide for levy of penalty to the extent of Rs.1000/- per tonne of overload. The continued seizure of the vehicle that too in a loaded condition would cause heavy damage to the vehicle. At the same time, the greed of the owners of the vehicles cannot be permitted to damage and spoil the roads on account of undue overload.  While an inadvertent overload to an extent of 15% can be condoned by collecting the penalty at the rate of Rs.1,000/- per tonne, any overload exceeding that must be penalised through levy of double the amount.

Hence, the writ petition is disposed of, directing that the respondents shall release the vehicle in question by collecting the penalty of Rs.1,000/- per tonne for overload up to an extent of 15% of the maximum carrying capacity of the vehicle as entered in Registration Certificate and at the rate of Rs.2,000/- per tonne for any overload in excess of 15% of such capacity. Further, the release shall be only after the overload in the vehicle is off-loaded on the spot. The respondents shall return the original documents pertaining to the vehicle, if taken from the petitioner, duly retaining copies thereof.  There shall be no order as to costs.

The miscellaneous petition filed in this writ petition shall also stand disposed of. 

________________________

L. NARASIMHA REDDY, J.   

        

Dt:08.02.2013

Note: Issue wire at party’s costs.

(B/o)

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