N.Venkatesan, v. The State Rep. By Inspector Of Police,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
Dated : 08.03.2019 Coram:
The Honourable Mr. Justice R.SUBBIAH and The Honourable Mr. Justice KRISHNAN RAMASAMY W.P.No.6839 of 2019 N.Venkatesan
...Petitioner
Versus
The State Rep. by Inspector of Police, Arani Taluk Police Station, Tiruvannamalai District.
...Respondent
Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondent herein to release the petitioner's John Deere India Agricultural Tractor bearing its Registration Number TN 25 BW 9261, Chassis Number 1PY5050DLJA031412 and Engine Number PY3029D454852 with its trailer in accordance with law. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Panneer Selvam For Respondent : Mr.D.Raghu, Government Advocate
O R D E R
(Order of the Court was delivered by R.Subbiah, J.,) The petitioner has filed the above Writ Petition praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent to release the petitioner's John Deere India Agricultural Tractor bearing its Registration Number TN 25 BW 9261, Chassis Number 1PY5050DLJA031412 and Engine Number PY3029D454852 with its trailer.
2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Government Advocate for the respondent.
3. According to the petitioner, the respondent had seized the vehicle in question on 11.01.2019 on the ground of illegal carrying of savudu sand and till date, no order for release of the said vehicle had been passed by the respondent. Hence, he has come forward with the present Writ Petition.
4. On the other hand, it is submitted by learned Government Advocate for the respondent that the vehicle in question was used for illegal transportation of mines and minerals like savudu sand and there was no valid permit and hence, the vehicle was seized. He further submitted that the petitioner has no previous case.
5. In any event, as the vehicle is under the custody of the respondent from the date of seizure and considering the fact that if the same is allowed to be kept idle by exposing the same to rain and shine, it would certainly diminish their value, this Court is of the view that the vehicle in question may be released by imposing conditions on the petitioner.
6. Accordingly, the respondent is directed to release the vehicle in question to the petitioner within a period of 7 days from the date of compliance of the below mentioned condition Nos.(i) to (iii):
(i)The petitioner shall deposit a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) before the jurisdictional Tahsildar concerned as non-refundable deposit. After receipt of the above said amount, the same will have to be deposited by the jurisdictional Tahsildar concerned, to the credit of the District Mines and Minerals Foundation Trust as non-refundable deposit.
(ii)The petitioner shall execute a personal bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten thousand only) with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the concerned jurisdictional Judicial Magistrate.
(iii)The petitioner shall give an undertaking before the respondent/authority concerned stating that he will not use the vehicle in question for any illegal activities in future and shall produce the same as and when required by the respondent and also the trial Court, failing which the respondent/trial Court is/are at liberty to confiscate the vehicle.
(iv)The petitioner shall not alienate the vehicle in question till the disposal of the proceedings before the authority concerned.
(v)The petitioner is also directed to participate in the enquiry to be conducted by the respondent.
With the above observations and directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. However, there shall be no order as to costs.
Sd/- Assistant Registrar //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar To The Inspector of Police, Arani Taluk Police Station, Tiruvannamalai District.
+1 cc to Mr.S.Panneerselvam, Advocate, S.R.No.21901 W.P.No.6839 of 2019 RSI(CO) SSM(13/03/2019)