High Court backs stay order on cancellation of vehicle registration
The High Court on Wednesday ruled that there was no need to set aside the interim order of the lower court.
By
Fathmath Ahmed Shareef
High Court on Wednesday upheld the Civil Court's interim order staying the implementation of the transport ministry's decision to cancel the registration of 87 vehicles.
On the grounds that they were illegally registered, the registration of 87 vehicles was cancelled on September 27 and notified in the government gazette. The reason cited by the ministry for cancelling the registration was that the vehicles were illegally transferred to the Male Zone.
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On October 2, owners of some of the vehicles filed a civil suit questioning the authenticity of the notification.
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They also sought an interim injunction restraining the civic body from implementing its decision to cancel the registrations.
On November 16, the transport ministry had challenged the civil court's order in the high court, saying that the interim order was issued after the civil court issued the order for not fulfilling the merits of the case.
This Wednesday, it is for the High Court to decide on the matter. The High Court on Wednesday ruled that there was no need to set aside the interim order of the lower court.
The High Court noted:
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It is very clear that the issue is in public interest
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If an interim order is passed, it remains to be seen who will bear the brunt of the loss
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The validity of the registry will be decided only in the information matter before the civil court
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There are 87 people who could be affected if an interim injunction is passed to uphold the cancellation of registries before deciding the matter
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There is no direct damage to the state
