- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:12219 WP No. 858 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 27TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE JYOTI M WRIT PETITION NO.858 OF 2026 (MV) BETWEEN: HEAD MISTRESS ST. ANTONY ENGLISH MEDIUM SCHOOL, CUTINHO PADAV, MALLUR POST, MANGALORE-575 001 DAKSHINA KANNADA, REPRESENTED BY ITS PRESENT HEAD MISTRESS, MS. ANITA VIOLET D'SOUZA, W/O MR. MORIN S. D'CRUZ, AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS. …PETITIONER (BY SMT. JANE SIONA D'SOUZA, ADVOCATE FOR SRI. MAHAMMAD IRFAN, ADVOCATE AND SRI. CYRIL PRASAD PAIS, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF SECRETARY, VIDHANA SOUDHA, DR. AMBEDKAR VEEDI, BENGALURU-560 001. 2. THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT, MS BUILDING, DR. AMBEDKAR VEEDI, BENGALURU-560 001. Digitally signed by PREMCHANDRA M R Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:12219 WP No. 858 of 2026 3. COMMISSIONER, TRANSPORTATION AND ROAD SAFETY, 1ST FLOOR, TTMC BUILDING, K.H.ROAD, SHANTHINAGAR, BENGALURU-560 027. 4. DEPUTY COMMISSIONER MANGALORE - 574 325 DAKSHINA KANNADA DISTRICT 5. ASSISTANT TRANSPORT COMMISSIONER AND SENIOR REGIONAL TRANSPORT OFFICER MANGALORE REGION MAIDAN ROAD, OPP. NEHARU MAIDAN, ATTARER, MANGALORE-575 001 6. REGIONAL TRANSPORT AUTHORITY, MANGALORE-575 001 DAKSHINA KANNADA, REPRESENTED BY ITS PRESIDENT. …RESPONDENTS (BY SMT. RASHMI RAO, HCGP) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, SEEKING CERTAIN RELIEFS. THIS WRIT PETITION IS LISTED FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, AN ORDER IS MADE AS UNDER: ORAL ORDER Sri.Jane Siona D'Souza, counsel on behalf of Sri.Mohammad Irfan and Sri.Cyril Prasad Pais, for the petitioner and High Court Government Pleader for respondents appeared in person. - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:12219 WP No. 858 of 2026 2. The captioned writ petition is filed seeking for the following reliefs: (a) Issue a Writ of Certiorari quashing the endorsement dated 21.08.2025 issued to the petitioner against the bus bearing regn.NO.KA 91C 8961 by the 5th vide Annexure-A. (b) Issue a writ of mandamus directing the 5th respondent to renew the vehicle permit for the school bus Tata EIB 909/49 bearing regn. No.KA.19C-8961 having Engine No.497TC93EZY8L27142 and Chassis No.MAT382-42A7E19915). and (c) Grant such other and further reliefs based on the nature and circumstances of the above case, in the interest of justice and equity. 3. Counsel for the respective parties would fairly submit that the issue involved in the present Writ Petition is answered by the Co-ordinate Bench of this Court in SMT.SHARADAMMA Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA AND OTHERS in W.P.No.21991/2019 and connected matters, disposed of on 20.08.2019, and they would submit that the decision therein would squarely apply to the present case. Counsel therefore, submits that an appropriate order may be passed. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:12219 WP No. 858 of 2026 4. Heard the arguments and perused the Writ papers with utmost care. 5. In SHARADAMMA’s case cited supra, it is held that State is not empowered to issue Circular and impose condition that 15 years old vehicles are not entitled for renewal of permit as well as fitness. 6. Following the decision cited supra, the present Writ Petition is allowed. The endorsement dated:21.08.2025 issued by respondent No.5 vide Annexure-A is quashed. The fifth respondent is directed to consider the representation/ grievance of the petitioner regarding renewal of vehicle permit and issuance of fitness certificate within four weeks from the receipt of certified copy of this order. 7. The writ petition is allowed. SD/- (JYOTI M) JUDGE SS List No.: 1 Sl No.: 5