Govt symbol case /HON’BLE MR.JUSTICE N.SENTHILKUMAR WP No. 42511 of 2026 and WMP Nos.47769 and 47771 of 2026 {CNR:HCMA012492772026} M/s.Sri Varalakshmi Bus Transport, Rep. by its proprietrix Mrs.V.S.Vrinidha, Residing at No.7/1 Samanagar, Tirupattur Town, Tirupattur District

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 14-10-2026
CORAM
THE HON’BLE MR.JUSTICE N.SENTHILKUMAR
WP No. 42511 of 2026 and
WMP Nos.47769 and 47771 of 2026
{CNR:HCMA012492772026}
M/s.Sri Varalakshmi Bus Transport,
Rep. by its proprietrix Mrs.V.S.Vrinidha,
Residing at No.7/1 Samanagar,
Tirupattur Town,
Tirupattur District
..Petitioner
Vs
1.The District Collector/
Regional Transport Authority,
Tirupattur District, Tirupattur 635 601.
2.The Regional transport officer Regional Transport office, Tirupattur 635 602. Tirupattur District.
3.The Transport Commissioner,
Office of the Transport Commissioner and State Transport Authority, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai – 600 005.
(R3 suo motu impleaded vide order of this Court, dated 14.10.2026)
..Respondents
For Petitioner: Mr.M.R.Jothimanian
For Respondents: Dr.R.Gowri,
Special Government Pleader
ORDER
Dr.Gowri, learned Government Pleader appearing for the respondents would submit that the rival claimant one Deivamani filed Revision Petition No.06 of 2026 before the Tribunal against the order passed by the 2nd respondent herein wherein the said Deivamani whose name finds place in the representation of the petitioner, dated 05.10.2026, has got orders in his favour.
2. In view of the above, the petitioner is directed to implead the rival claimant Mr.S.Deivamani, whose name has been referred in the representation of the petitioner dated 05.10.2026.
3. The Transport Commissioner, Office of the Transport Commissioner and State Transport Authority, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai – 600 005 is suo motu impleaded as third respondent in this writ petition to file the following report:
“What is the action taken for the widespread practice of affixing unauthorised stickers, slogans and professional identifiers such as Press, Doctor, Advocate, and Police on public and private motor vehicles, in the last six months?”
4. The respondents 1 and 2 shall file a counter.
5. The 3rd respondent shall also state in the report, whether the observations made in S.Mukachand Bothra (Deceased) & Another vs. The
Central Government, represented by the Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi & Others reported in 2022(1) MLJ 434, has been followed in letter in spirit. In the above order, a learned single Judge of this court held that in the absence of any authorisation under the provisions of the Act and Rules, the usage must be prevented, as there is a specific prohibition under the Emblem and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 and its Rules. Therefore, no former functionaries, like Members of Parliament, former Members of Legislative Assembly, retired officials of Commissions or committees, Public Sector Undertakings, Banks, Panchayat Raj Institutions, Parishads, NonGovernment Organisations, Universities are authorised to use the symbols, emblems, stickers, flag, names of the institution or government names, etc. in their vehicles or in their letter pads or in the buildings. For any such usage prior approval under the provisions of the Act is mandatory. But unfortunately Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretaries of Commissions, organisations, public sector undertakings, banks, municipal councils etc. are misusing the emblems, names, flag etc. and affixing the emblems, names, flags etc. both outside the vehicle and in the dashboard of the vehicle.
N.SENTHILKUMAR J.
vum
6. For filing report by the suo motu impleaded third respondent and for filing counter by respondents 1 and 2, post the matter on 05.11.2026.
7. Meanwhile, Joint inspection shall be conducted by the 2nd respondent by affording opportunity to all the stake holders.
14-10-2026
vum
Note: Issue order copy today (14.10.2026)
To
1.The District Collector/
Regional Transport Authority,
Tirupattur District, Tirupattur 635 601
2.The Regional transport officer
Regional transport office,
Tirupattur 635 602
Tirupattur District
3.The Transport Commissioner,
Office of the Transport Commissioner and State
Transport Authority, Ezhilagam,
Chepauk, Chennai – 600 005
WP No. 42511 of 2026 and WMP Nos.47769 and 47771 of 2026