The court ruled that a differently-abled individual's vehicle registration requires a Medical Board's examination to verify driving fitness, reaffirming tax exemptions per existing government orders.

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated: 06.03.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY W.P(MD)No.6028 of 2026 K.R.Vengadesan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Principal Secretary to Government, Home(Transport) Department, Secretariat, Chennai-600 009.

2.The Transport Commissioner, Commissionerate of Transport and Road Safety, Guindy, Chennai-600 032.

3.The Joint Transport Commissioner (Registration), Commissionerate of Transport and Road Safetyt, Guindy, Chennai-600 032.

4.The Regional Transport Officer, Thirumangalam, Madurai District. ...Respondents Writ Petition is filed under article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the fourth respondent, the Regional Transport Officer, Thirumangalam, Madurai District, to issue Permanent Registration Certificate for Vehicle Model-Maruti Wagon R ZXI + 1.2L ISS AGS bearing Chassis No.MA3JMTC1SSLD96176 and Engine No.K12NN9252002, Colour – Prime Gallant Red Bluish Black, register the same under Divyanjan Category and grant exemption from Motor Vehicle Tax by extending the benefit of G.O.Ms.No.3352, Home (Transport-I) Department, dated 29.12.1976 within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.

For Petitioner :Mr.A.L.Kannan For Respondents :Mr.N.Ramesh Arumugam Government Advocate

ORDER

The writ petition is filed for a mandamus directing the Regional Transport Officer, Thirumangalam to issue permanent registration certificate for the vehicle of the petitioner being Maruti Wagon R ZXI + 1.2L ISS AGS bearing Chassis No.MA3JMTC1SSLD96176 and Engine No.K12NN9252002, register the same under Divyanjan Category and grant exemption from Motor Vehicle Tax by extending the benefit of G.O.Ms.No.

3352, Home (Transport-I) Department, dated 29.12.1976.

2. Upon hearing the learned counsel for the petitioner and perusing the material records of the case, it can be seen that the petitioner is a differently abled person. In order to enable him to drive the vehicle, he has made the improvements in the vehicle and accordingly sent the vehicle for registration with the said alterations. He has also been duly certified by the Assistant Surgeon that he is fit to drive the vehicle. A demand of tax amount was raised, to which the petitioner has replied by stating that he is entitled for exemption as per G.O.Ms.No.3352, Home (Transport-T) Department, dated 29.12.1976. However, the matter has been kept pending and therefore, the petitioner is before this Court.

3. The learned Government Advocate appearing on behalf of the respondent would submit that now the petitioner has only produced the Medical certificate from the Ortho Surgeon of the Government Hospital. But however, the petitioner has to be examined by the jurisdictional medical board and if only they certify, the registration can be effected.

4. In view of the submission made, let a reference be made by the fourth respondent to the Jurisdictional Medical Board ie., Medical Board at the Rajaji Government General Hospital, Madurai, within one week from the date of receipt of the web copy of the order and the petitioner be intimated as to the date on which the petitioner has to appear before the medical board. The petitioner shall immediately appear before the medical board and the medical board examined the fitness of the petitioner to drive the vehicle and to give such certificate. Depending on the certificate that is given by the medical board, the fourth respondent shall effect the registration under the Divyanjan category of the vehicle. Let the entire exercise be completed within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of the web copy of the order, without waiting for the certified copy of the order.

5. It is made clear that since the contention is made only wit