JUDGMENT :

As both these writ petitions involve a common issue, they are taken up together for consideration, and disposed by this common judgment.

2. The writ petitioners are essentially aggrieved by the alleged action of autorickshaw drivers, plying within the territorial limits of Kannur district, and coming within the administrative jurisdiction of the Thalassery Municipality and Malappattam Panchayat, in not operating the fare/hire meters installed in their vehicles and thereby charging fares far in excess of that fixed by the State Government under Section 67 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. It is their case in the writ petition that there have been numerous instances where persons have been charged exorbitant rates in violation of the Motor Vehicles Act and Rules, as also in violation of the provisions of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, and since such instances invariably happen at odd hours of the day/night, the passengers often find themselves at the mercy of the erring autorickshaw drivers. The prayers in the writ petitions are for suitable directions to the respective s