The Madras High Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition seeking a direction to the Tamil Nadu Governor to pass orders on a representation for prosecuting the Transport Minister, K.N. Nehru, for colourable exercise of power and breach of oath and offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. It also dismissed another petition seeking an enquiry by the CBI or the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption into the “multi-crore auto permit scam.”
In its petition, Ankush + (Environmental Protection Organisation), represented by its president P. Naresh Reddy of Hyderabad said the Tamil Nadu Government issued an order on May 13 last year suddenly lifting the 12-year ban on issuing permits for autorickshaws in connivance and collusion with automobile manufacturers. The Minister in collusion with automobile manufacturers allowed excessive pricing of autorickshaws and also violated the norms laid down by the Supreme Court in the matter of pollution control. He had submitted petitions to the Governor in November last year.
The petitioner also prayed the court for a direction to the authorities to recover the excess amount from the Minister and auto manufacturers.
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In its order, the First Bench comprising the Chief Justice M.Y. Eqbal and Justice T.S. Sivagnanam said in the light of the ratio laid down by the Supreme Court, no relief could be granted to the petitioner. The petition could not be treated as a public interest litigation petition.