Auctioned imported vehicle registration cannot be withheld once customs clears title and no further legal impediment remains.

An auction-purchased imported vehicle could not be kept off the register once customs had clarified that registration in the successful bidder's name was permissible and the DGFT disclaimed any further role. The Court held that the registering authority had no valid basis to continue withholding registration when the competent customs authority had removed the objection and the petitioner otherwise satisfied the remaining registration requirements. The application was therefore to be received and processed, and registration was directed to be completed within the time fixed by the Court.

---

---

Issues: Whether the first respondent could be directed to register the auction-purchased imported vehicle in the petitioner's name after the customs authorities and the DGFT had clarified that there was no impediment to such registration.

Analysis: The vehicle had been imported, abandoned, and thereafter sold in auction by the customs authorities. The customs department clarified that the auctioned vehicle could be registered in the name of the successful bidder. When the registering authority persisted with its doubts and sought a further clarification, the DGFT stated that it had no role in the matter and that customs had already clarified the position. In these circumstances, there was no justification for continuing to withhold registration, provided the petitioner satisfied the remaining registration requirements.

Conclusion: The petitioner was entitled to have the application received and processed for registration of the vehicle in its name, and the first respondent was directed to complete the exercise within the time fixed by the Court.

Final Conclusion: The writ petition succeeded, and a positive direction was issued for registration of the auctioned vehicle in the petitioner's name.

Ratio Decidendi: Where the competent customs authority has clarified that an auctioned imported vehicle may be registered in the purchaser's name and the concerned central authority disclaims any further role, the registering authority cannot withhold registration without a valid legal basis if the remaining requirements are otherwise fulfilled.

---