Harbinder Kaur Vs State Transport Authority, Cuttack — Orissa HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

Harbinder Kaur Vs State Transport Authority, Cuttack — Orissa HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Direction to Opposite Party No.2 - Regional Transport Officer, Rourkela to consider and dispose of the Petitioner's representation dated 18.05.2026 in accordance with law by a reasoned order within one month from receipt of a certified copy of the order, and to communicate the decision to the Petitioner within one week thereafter; an opportunity of personal hearing may be afforded if the competent authority finds it necessary.

Issue for consideration

Whether the Opposite Party No.2 - Regional Transport Officer, Rourkela should be directed to consider and dispose of the Petitioner's representation dated 18.05.2026 seeking declaration of vehicle bearing Registration No. OR-14-K-2928 as unfit, cancellation of its registration, and waiver of the motor vehicle tax demand of Rs. 3,80,250/- together with the penalty imposed.

Court's answer

Without expressing any opinion on the merits of the Petitioner's claim, the Writ Petition is disposed of with a direction that, if the representation dated 18.05.2026 has not already been disposed of, the Opposite Party No.2 - Regional Transport Officer, Rourkela shall consider and dispose of the same in accordance with law by passing a reasoned order within one month from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order, and communicate the decision to the Petitioner within one week thereafter.

Ratio / Principle

While considering the representation, if the competent authority finds it necessary, an opportunity of personal hearing may be afforded to the Petitioner before passing the final order.

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

W.P.(C) No.20049 of 2026 — Harbinder Kaur v. State Transport Authority and another (High Court of Orissa at Cuttack, Hon'ble Mr. Justice Chittaranjan Dash, order dated 14.07.2026): Petition seeking a direction to declare vehicle bearing Registration No. OR-14-K-2928 as unfit, to cancel its registration, and to waive the motor vehicle tax demand of ₹3,80,250/- together with penalty, disposed of without expressing any opinion on the merits. Opposite Party No.2 - Regional Transport Officer, Rourkela directed to consider and dispose of the Petitioner's pending representation dated 18.05.2026 in accordance with law by a reasoned order within one month from receipt of a certified copy of the order, and to communicate the decision within one week thereafter; personal hearing may be afforded if the competent authority finds it necessary.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK

W.P.(C) No.20049 of 2026

Harbinder Kaur …. Petitioner

Mr. Malaya Kumar Mishra, Advocate

-versus-

State Transport Authority and another

…. Opp. Parties

Mr. Pravakar Nayak, Panel Counsel Transport Department

CORAM:

THE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE CHITTARANJAN DASH

Order No.

ORDER

14.07.2026

01. 1. Heard learned counsel for the parties.

By means of the present Writ Petition, the Petitioner seeks a direction to the Opposite Parties, more particularly Opposite Party No.2-Regional Transport Officer, Rourkela, to declare the vehicle bearing Registration No. OR-14-K-2928 as unfit and, consequently, to cancel its registration. The Petitioner also seeks waiver of the demand towards motor vehicle tax amounting to ₹3,80,250/-, together with the penalty imposed in respect of the said vehicle. It is submitted that, in this regard, the Petitioner has already submitted a representation before the Regional Transport Officer, Rourkela, on 18.05.2026.

Learned counsel for the Petitioner submits that the said representation is still pending consideration.

In the absence of any serious objection from the learned Additional Standing Counsel, and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the Petitioner's claim, this Writ Petition is disposed of with a direction that, if the representation dated 18.05.2026 has not already been disposed of, the Opposite Party No.2-Regional Transport Officer, Rourkela shall consider and dispose of the same, in accordance with law, by passing a reasoned order within a period of one (1) month from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order and communicate the decision to the Petitioner within one (1) week thereafter.

While considering the representation, if the competent authority finds it necessary, an opportunity of personal hearing may be afforded to the Petitioner before passing the final order. 6. The Writ Petition is accordingly disposed of.

(Chittaranjan Dash)

Judge

AKPradhan

Signature Not Verified

Digitally Signed Signed by: ANANTA KUMAR PRADHAN Designation: Senior Stenographer Reason: Authentication Location: HIGH COURT OF ORISSA Date: 15-Jul-2026 10:06:06

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