Pathanamthitta: The Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) in the state released the custody of a bus operated by Robin Travels on Sunday. 

The move came in the backdrop of an order issued by Pathanamthitta Judicial First Class Magistrate. In the wee hours of November 24, MVD officials impounded the Robin Bus by claiming that the vehicle "repeatedly" violated permit rules. Despite paying a Rs 82,000 fine, the bus was not released from custody. 

The court later ruled that the MVD could no longer keep custody of the bus because the owner had paid the fine. Furthermore, the court directed the Pathanamthitta Station House Officer to prepare a list of the items on the bus before handing it over to the owner.

Meanwhile, the bus owner, Gireesh, said the vehicle will resume service from Tuesday morning onwards.

Previously, MVD officers seized the bus, citing a provision that enables them to take action against vehicles in the event of repeated offences. The bus was later shifted to the Pathanamthitta AR camp.

MVD officials also point out that the recent Kerala High Court ruling only allowed Robin Bus to conduct trips with pre-booked passengers. The All India Tourist Permit rules stipulate that vehicles pick up passengers from a specific place and drop them off at another spot. However, it was argued that interstate buses operate as stage carriers by enabling passengers to board at random locations. 

Meanwhile, the owner of the Robin bus claims that the High Court's ruling restricts MVD's authority to impound buses.