Arjun S/O. Tamilarasan v. The Revenue Divisional Officer
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 06.06.2019
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.SUBBIAH and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C. SARAVANAN Writ Petition No.14895 of 2019 Arjun, S/o. Tamilarasan.
...Petitioner
Vs
1. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Mayiladuthurai Town & Taluk, Nagapattinam District.
2. The Inspector of Police, Mayiladuthurai Police Station, Nagapattinam District.
... Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to release the petitioner's vehicle JCB [Earth Moving Equipment] bearing Registration No.TN48-J-8968 seized by the 2nd respondent on 09.05.2019 by consider petitioner representation dated 15.05.2019 within a time stipulated by this Court. For Petitioner :
Mr.K.M.Vijayan Associates For Respondents :
Mr.K.S.Suresh, Government Advocate *****
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 respondents to release the petitioner's vehicle JCB [Earth Moving Equipment] bearing Registration No.TN-48-J-8968 seized by the 2nd respondent on 09.05.2019 by consider petitioner representation dated 15.05.2019.
2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Government Advocate for the respondents.
3. According to the petitioner, the third respondent has seized the vehicle in question on 09.05.2019 on the ground of illegal carrying of river 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 Government Advocate for the respondents that the vehicle in question was used for illegal transportation of mines and minerals like river sand and there was no valid permit and hence, the vehicle was seized.
5. In any event, as the vehicle is under the custody of the third 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 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 below mentioned condition Nos.(i) to (iii): (i) The petitioner shall deposit a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) before the jurisdictional Tahsildar concerned as nonrefundable 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 respondents/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 respondents and also the trial Court, failing which the respondents/trial Court is/are at liberty to confiscate the vehicle. (iv)The petitioner shall not alienate the vehicle in question till the disposal of
R.SUBBIAH, J AND C. SARAVANAN, J gm the proceedings before the authority concerned. (v) The petitioner is also directed to participate in the enquiry to be conducted by the second respondent.
With the above observations and directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.
[R.P.S., J] [C.S.N., J] 06.06.2019 Note to office: Issue order copy within a week Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order Index : Yes/ No Internet : Yes gm To
1. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Mayiladuthurai Town & Taluk, Nagapattinam District.
2. The Inspector of Police, Mayiladuthurai Police Station, Nagapattinam District.
Writ Petition No.14895 of 2019