Gowri Shankar v. The District Revenue Officer

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 17.06.2019

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.SUBBIAH and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN Writ Petition No.16605 of 2019 Gowri Shankar S/o.Manohar

...Petitioner

Vs 1.The District Revenue Officer, Thiruvallur District, Thiruvallur.

2.The Tahsildar, Ponneri Taluk, Thiruvallur District.

3.The Inspector of Police, E-5, Sholavaram Police Station, Thiruvallur District.

... Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing respondents to release the petitioner's vehicle viz., Lorry bearing Registration No.TN-01-AK-7139 TATA (Light Goods Vehicle), seized by respondents on 07.06.2019, to the petitioner forthwith based on the petitioner's representation dated 10.06.2019.

For Petitioner :

Mr.P.Chandrasekar For Respondents :

Mr.E.Balamurugan Special Government Pleader

O R D E R

[Order was delivered by R.SUBBIAH,J] Petitioner has filed the above Writ Petition praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing respondents to release the petitioner's vehicle viz., Lorry bearing Registration No.TN01-AK-7139 TATA (Light Goods Vehicle), seized by respondents on 07.06.2019, to the petitioner forthwith based on the

petitioner's representation dated 10.06.2019.

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

3. According to petitioner, respondents have seized the vehicle in question on 07.06.2019 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 respondents that the vehicle in question was used for illegal transportation of mines and minerals like Sand and hence, the vehicle was seized. He would further submit that 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 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)Petitioner shall deposit a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five 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)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)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)Petitioner shall not alienate the vehicle in question till

the disposal of the proceedings before the authority concerned.

(v)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/- Joint Registrar(J) //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar gm To

1. The District Revenue Officer, Thiruvallur District, Thiruvallur.

2. The Tahsildar, Ponneri Taluk, Thiruvallur District.

3. The Inspector of Police, E-5, Sholavaram Police Station, Thiruvallur District.

4. The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Thiruvallur.

5. The Judicial Magistrate, Ponneri.

+1cc to Mr.P.Chandrasekar, Advocate, S.R.No.48987 +1cc to the Government Pleader, S.R.No.49417 Writ Petition No.16605 of 2019 RSK(CO) CS/26/06/2019