IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANTONY DOMINIC WEDNESDAY, THE 23RD JANUARY 2008 / 3RD MAGHA 1929 WP(C).No. 647 of 2008(B) ------------------------------------- PETITIONER: -------------------- P.K.ABDUL RAHUMAN, GALAXY HOUSE, 36/997, PARAPARAMBU, SI UP SCHOOL LANE, DESHABHIMANI ROAD, KOCHI. BY ADV. SRI.ANIL XAVIER SRI.M.RISHIKESH SHENOI RESPONDENTS: ------------------------ 1. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, MOTOR TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. THE REGIONAL TRANSPORT OFFICER, REGIONAL TRANSPORT OFFICE, CIVIL STATION, KAKKANAD. *ADDL.R3 IS IMPLEADED: R3. MR. ABU BECKER, S/O.SYED MUHAMMED, PANACHIKAL HOUSE, ELAMAKKARA, COCHIN. (*ADDL.R3 IS IMPLEADED AS PER ORDER DTD. 10/01/2008 IN I.A.NO.560/07) BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI. M.R.SABU THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 23/01/2008 ALONG WITH WPC.NO.776 OF 2008, WPC.NO. 1169 OF 2008 AND WPC.NO.1191 OF 2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: Kss WPC.NO.647/2008 B APPENDIX PETITIONER'S EXHIBITS: EXT.P1: COPY OF THE APPLICATION DTD.21/08/2007. EXT.P2: COPY OF THE LETTER NO.7/R2/110794/2007 DTD.11/09/2007 ISSUED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT. EXT.P3: COPY OF THE RECEIPT IN BOOK NO.4065935 DTD. 1/10/2007. EXT.P4: COPY OF THE APPLICATION DTD. 19/11/2007 WITH THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE 2ND RESPONDENT. /TRUE COPY/ P.S.TO JUDGE Kss ANTONY DOMINIC, J. ------------------------------------ W.P.(C) Nos.647, 776, 1169 and 1191 of 2008 ------------------------------------- Dated: January 23, 2008 JUDGMENT The petitioners are the successful bidders in auctions held for the allotment of fancy numbers. It is submitted that though they had remitted the amounts, their vehicles were not ready within the three months period. Hence they wanted to seek extension of time by remitting Rs.2000/- each. On 1.1.2008 when the petitioners approached the respondents for making remittance of the fee of Rs.2000/- for extension of time, since the computer system had failed, they could not make the remittance. However, whey then approached the respondents again on 2.1.2008, it was realised that by automatic operation of the computer, the numbers allotted to the petitioners had automatically got reverted to the common pool. They also realised that the fancy numbers which were originally allotted to them were again allotted to the 3rd respondent in WP(C) 647/2008 and the 5th respondent in the other cases. It is in this background the writ petition has been filed challenging the allotment of the fancy numbers and requiring the respondents to grant extension of time. WP(C) 647, 776, 1169 & 1191/2008 Page numbers 2. The learned Government Pleader on instructions confirms that on 1.1.2008 when the petitioners approached the respondents there was failure of the computer system and therefore the procedural formalities could not be completed for seeking extension of time. They also confirmed that by 2.1.2008 the numbers allotted to the petitioners got reverted to the common pool and was allotted to the 3rd respondent in WP(C) 647/2008 and the 5th respondent in the other cases. 3. The party respondents who got the allotment entered appearance and submits that they got the numbers allotted automatically and that they will be satisfied with any other number that the authorities may allot. 4. From the submissions made by the parties it is evident that there was no lapse or fault on the part of the petitioners and that their inability to make the remittance as required of them on 1.1.2008 was only on account of the fault that had occurred to the computer system. In view of this, the damage that is caused to the petitioners needs to be remedied. 5. Therefore these writ petitions are disposed of directing that on the petitioners making remittance of the amount as required of them within ten days from today, necessary extension of time will be granted WP(C) 647, 776, 1169 & 1191/2008 Page numbers to them and the fancy numbers, of which they are the successful bidders, will be allotted to them. Needless to say that in so far as the party respondents are concerned, on such re-allotment as stated above, they will also be allotted new registration numbers and that too shall be done as expeditiously as possible. The Writ petitions are disposed of as above. ANTONY DOMINIC, JUDGE mt/-