The High Court of Fiji at Suva has ruled the land Transport Authority was correct to issue a Traffic Infringement Notice (TIN) to a taxi driver who had parked his taxi near a bus stand, had the engine running and waited to pick up passengers.
Nirmal Chandra was fined $150 and he disputed the TIN.
The Magistrate Court had ruled in favour of LTA and Mr Chandra went to the High Court on appeal.
In the High Court, Justice Thusara Rajasinghe found Mr Chandra’s arguments that he was just parked as the spot unconvincing.
The court clarified that parking a taxi with the engine running and the driver seated at a location accessible to passengers, such as a bus stop, could imply availability for hire.
Justice Rajasinghe found the prosecution’s evidence sufficient to prove the offense beyond a reasonable doubt and dismissed Mr Chandra’s appeal, stating there was no merit in his grounds.
