Lavudya Ravi Kumar v. The State Of Telangana

THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTI CE A.V.SESHA SAI W RI T PETI TI ON No.1 8 4 7 4 of 2 0 1 8 ORDER:

This writ petition, under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, is filed by the petitioner questioning the seizure of lorry bearing No.AP28TE as illegal, arbitrary and unconstitutional.

I have heard the submissions of the learned counsel for the petitioner and of the learned Assistant Government Pleader representing the 2nd respondent.

Learned counsel for the petitioner first submitted that the vehicle was seized while transporting sand. Further, having placed reliance upon an order, dated 29.12.2016, of this Court in W.P.No.44808 of 2016 and stating that in that writ petition with identical facts this Court gave appropriate directions with regard to the release of the vehicles, sought similar directions in this petition for release of the subject vehicle as per terms of the Government Orders in G.O.Ms.No.15, dated 19.02.2015. Learned Assistant Government Pleader would submit that the above said lorry is already produced before the learned Magistrate concerned and, therefore, the writ petitioner is required to make appropriate application before the Court of the learned Magistrate for release of the said vehicle. However, learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that even if the vehicle is produced before a competent Court, still, as per the terms of the afore-said GO, the 2nd respondent/ authority

concerned is also empowered to consider the request of the petitioner for release of the seized vehicle in matter of this nature as per policy decision taken by the Government. Having regard to the submissions and the terms of G.O.Ms.No.15, dated 19.02.2015, the Writ Petition is disposed of with the following directions: 'The petitioner is at liberty to approach either the learned Magistrate before whom the vehicle was said to have been produced and file application as per the procedure established by law and seek release of the vehicle by bringing to the notice of the Court the policy decision taken by the Government and the terms of the G.O.Ms.No.15, dated 19.02.

2015, if the petitioner so desires; or, in the alternative he may make a request to the 2nd respondent by filing appropriate application for release of the vehicle; and, if any such application comes to be filed before the 2nd respondent, the 2nd respondent is at liberty to pass appropriate orders as per terms of G.O.Ms.No.15, dated 19.02.2015, after examining the competence and jurisdiction to release the vehicle, which was said to have been produced before the Court concerned.' It is needless to state that the application, if any, filed by the petitioner before either the Court or the 2nd respondent shall be disposed of on the same day in the interests of justice. There shall be no order as to costs.

Miscellaneous petitions pending, if any, shall stand closed. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ A.V.Sesh a Sai, J 6th June, 2018 smr