Recording the City Corporation Commissioner C.Kathiravan's apology for disobeying the court order on collection of toll in the ring road, the Madras High Court Bench here today asked the government to file the counter on the matter.
In his affidavit filed before a Division bench, comprising Justice S.Tamilvanan and Justice V.S.Ravi, the Commissioner, who appeared in person, said the moment the court directed him to appear, he had asked officials to stop collecting toll in the ring road.
He said he had highest respect for the court and inadvertently violated the court order. He said as an appeal had been filed against a single judge's order by both the corporation and some petitioners, he was under the impression that the single judge's order had not attained finality,and therefore he did not suspend the toll collection.
"I crave for the court's mercy", he said .He also said he joined the government as Group I officer and was conferred IAS in 2013,and he had 15 more years of service. "If I am found guilty of contempt, it will have serious bearing in my career," he said.
Partly allowing the petition filed by the Madurai District Bus Owners' Association,the single judge felt that it was wrong for government to issue order ratifying toll collection for December 1,2005-November 31, 2010,after the period was over and quashed the order.However, the judge said he could not issue a direction to refund the toll.
The judge said the hike in toll should be done after making proper evaluation.The corporation should give proper particulars to government for fixing the rate appropriately. The fresh notification should be issued within six weeks,and till then the corporation should not collect any toll.
However, the Commissioner ordered collection of toll by computerising the process and the association filed a contempt petition against him.
The Divisiion Bench felt that commissioner had disobeyed the court order and asked him to appear in person today.
