The Madras High Court today directed Motor Accident Claims Tribunal to release forthwith 507 transport corporation buses which were attached by it and kept in custody for a long time.
Justice N.Kirubakaran directed that the attached vehicles be released forthwith on condition that the corporations first deposit 25 per cent of the respective compensation amounts in the respective courts on or before June 15.
"Considering the need to operate more buses during the summer vacation and the convenience of the travelling passengers, it is appropriate to forthwith release all the vehicles belonging to the respective transport corporations which have been attached and kept in custody of the court," the court said.
The judge issued the order after perusing the reply by the Transport department when the Tamil Nadu Transport Corporation, Kancheepuram Division's appeal came up.
The department informed the court that 710 transport corporations buses were attached pursuant to the attachment orders passed by MACT and were kept idle in court custody for a long time.
The matter relates to an appeal filed by the Tamil Nadu Transport Corporation, Kancheepuram Division-1 against the award passed for Rs.7,30,200 by MACT for death of one Prabhakaran in an accident on March 10,2008.
The judge said after paying the first instalment, the balance 75 per cent has to be deposited before the concerned court in three instalments on or before September 15 this year.
The judge warned that if the first instalment is not paid before June 15, "The respective Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Transport Corporations and the Financial Advisor-cum-Chief Accounts officer of the transport corporations, apart from Additional Chief Secretary to Transport Department shall appear before the court on the next date of hearing that is on June 17."
The judge also directed the Tribunal to sit on Saturday (on May 2) to release the attached vehicles if required.
