Rajendiran v. The Revenue Divisional Officer

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 22.03.2019

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE R.SUBBIAH AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY WRIT PETITION NO.8038 OF 2019 Rajendiran

...Petitioner

Vs.

1. The Revenue Divisional Officer, The District Collector Office,

2. The Assistant Director, Tamil Nadu Mines and Minerals Department, The Collector Office,

3. The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Uthangarai Taluk,

4. The Inspector of Police, Pochampalli Police Station, Crime No.486 of 2018

...Respondents

PRAYER:

Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st respondent to release the petitioner's lorry bearing Registration No.TN-68-A-1545 to the petitioner forthwith. For Petitioner :

Mr.Mukund R.Pandiyan For Respondents:

Mr.J.Pothiraj Special Government Pleader.

O R D E R

[Order was delivered by R.SUBBIAH,J] The petitioner has filed the above Writ Petition praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the directing the 1st respondent to release the petitioner's lorry bearing Registration No.TN-68-A-1545.

2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Special Government Pleader for the respondents.

3. According to the petitioner, the respondents have seized the vehicle in question on 23.12.2018 on the ground of illegal carrying of sand, and till date, no order for release of the said vehicle had been passed by the respondents. Hence, he has come forward with the present Writ Petition.

4. On the other hand, it is submitted by learned Special Government Pleader for the respondents that the vehicle in question was used for illegal transportation of mines and minerals like sand 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 respondents 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 sun, it would certainly diminish their value, this Court is of the view that the vehicle in question may be released by imposing certain conditions on the petitioner.

6. Accordingly, the respondents are directed to release the vehicle in question to the petitioner within a period of 7 days from the date of compliance of the condition Nos.(i) to (iii), which are mentioned below:

(i)The petitioner shall deposit a sum of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty 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 nonrefundable 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 respondents /authorities 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 respondents and also the trial Court, failing which the respondents/trial Court is/are at liberty to confiscate the vehicle. (iii)The petitioner shall not alienate the vehicle in question till the disposal of the proceedings before the authority concerned.

(iv)The petitioner is also directed to participate in the enquiry to be conducted by the respondents.

With the above observations and directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar(CO) //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar vkr/ebsi To

1. The Revenue Divisional Officer, The District Collector Office,

2. The Assistant Director, Tamil Nadu Mines and Minerals Department, The Collector Office,

3. The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Uthangarai Taluk,

4. The Inspector of Police, Pochampalli Police Station,

5. The Judicial Magistrate, Krishnagiri.

6. The Tahsildar, +1cc to Mr.Mukund R.Pandiyan, Advocate, S.R.No.27557 +1cc to the Government Pleader, S.R.No.28543 Writ Petition No.8038 of 2019 CS/29/03/2019