Thiruvananthapuram/Kozhikode | The Kerala Transport Commissioner on Monday withdrew the suspension of the two MVD officials who had fined an off-road vehicle used in flood relief in Pathanamthitta and transferred them to separate sub-RTOs pending the enquiry against them.

The decision follows statewide protests by Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) officials against the suspension of the two Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspectors (AMVI) Laiju B S and Shameer.

MVD officials wore black badges, did not issues challans and did not carry out vehicle inspections as part of the protest, a department official said.

He also said that the owner of the off-road vehicle was a habitual offender since 2024 with many outstanding fine amounts and had not rectified the unauthorised additions made to his SUV.

The official also claimed that the vehicle owner was fined while travelling with his wife and thereafter, a story was made up that the SUV was used in flood relief work.

The MVD officials also planned to hold a protest outside the Transport Commissioner's office on August 22, he said.

Laiju and Shameer were transferred to sub-road transport offices (RTOs) in Kazhakoottam and Mavelikkara, respectively, the order by Transport Commissioner Nagaraju Chakilam said.

Earlier in the day, state Transport Minister C P John contended that the action of the two AMVIs was an example of "abuse of power."

John said that, some state ministers had called for the help of off-road vehicles and drivers for relief and rescue work in flood-hit areas of Pathanamthitta following the heavy rains.

In connection with that some people had come forward with their modified off-road vehicles, he said.

One such vehicle was fined by the two AMVIs following which they were suspended last week.

"So, when they (off-road vehicle owners) said that they had come for rescue and relief efforts, they should have been let off on that one occasion as they had not caused any accident or any other traffic problem," the minister told reporters in the morning at Kozhikode.

"That was an example of abuse of power. Power should be used correctly. It is not to be used to do anything. So an enquiry is being carried out. The suspension is not a punishment, it is part of the enquiry," John added.

He said that the Transport Commissioner was looking into the matter and will quickly take a decision.

According to MVD officials, the two AMVIs intercepted the vehicle at Adoor while it was returning from flood relief work and imposed a fine for not having valid pollution under control (PUC) certificate and for fitting additional lights.