[dropcap]T[/dropcap]HE Rajasthan High Court has ordered the state transport authority to withdraw driver’s licence issued to illiterate persons, terming them a “menace for the pedestrians”
“The State Transport Authorities are directed to issue appropriate instructions in this regard laying down guidelines. Action should also be taken where licenses have been issued to persons who are unable to read and write,” directed Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma
The order is the result of a petition filed by one Deepak Singh who had approached the High Court asking that he be allowed a Transport Vehicle license rather than the Light Motor Vehicle license that he had been issued as he had been driving a light motor vehicle for the last 13 years. The petitioner was illiterate and unable to read or write.
“In the opinion of this court, the Motor Vehicle Rules are required to be framed not only for the benefit of persons who seek license but also taking into consideration the public who are using the roads. The license cannot be allowed to be issued for driving any kind of vehicle to an illiterate person as he is virtually a menace for the pedestrians as he would not be in a position to understand road signs and notices of caution written on boards for human safety on the highways as well as on the roads in the cities,” the High Court held, while dismissing Deepak Singh’s petition.
“The license of Light Motor Vehicles issued to the petitioner and similar persons also must be therefore withdrawn in the light of what has been stated herein above. The State Transport Authorities are directed to issue appropriate instructions in this regard laying down guidelines. Action should also be taken where licenses have been issued to persons who are unable to read and write,” the court said.
Read the Order.
[pdfviewer]https://cdn.theleaflet.in/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/29164238/Rajasthan-High-Court.pdf[/pdfviewer]
