Tue Jan 28 17:36:24 UTC 2025: ## Madras High Court Upholds President’s Right to Use Government Transport for Personal Travel

**Chennai, January 28, 2025** – The Madras High Court dismissed a petition seeking to recover government expenses incurred by former President R. Venkataraman during personal visits to the Kanchi Mutt in the early 1990s. The petitioner, M. Palanibaba, argued that President Venkataraman, despite his high office, should not have used government transport for private religious trips and should reimburse the state for these expenses.

Palanibaba contended that the President’s use of special flights and helicopters for personal visits violated the secular nature of the Constitution and imposed an undue burden on the public exchequer. He maintained that the President should be treated like any other citizen regarding personal travel.

However, the court rejected this argument, citing a lack of legal basis to restrict the President’s use of government transport for personal matters. The court emphasized that the President’s allowances and privileges, including the use of government transport, were intended to enable him to discharge his duties effectively and with dignity. It referred to the Constituent Assembly debates, highlighting that the President’s emoluments and allowances were intentionally left to Parliament and are equivalent to those enjoyed by the Governor-General.

The court further ruled that the President, unlike other government officials, is not entitled to leave or travel allowances. The President remains the Head of State at all times, irrespective of personal engagements, the court emphasized. The judge stated that limiting the President’s travel would unfairly restrict access to the office to only the wealthiest individuals.

Finally, the court ruled that the President’s personal religious visits did not conflict with his constitutional oath or violate the secular nature of the Constitution. The petition was dismissed, upholding the President’s entitlement to all allowances and privileges enjoyed by the Governor-General of the Dominion of India until Parliament enacts specific legislation on the matter.

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