S.Radhakrishnan v. The Assistant Director
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 27.06.2019
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.SUBBIAH and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN W.P.No.18183 of 2019 S.Radhakrishnan *S/o Subramanian .. Petitioner ..vs..
*1.The Assistant Director, Geology and Mining, O/o Collectorate Office, Coimbatore -640 018, Coimbatore District.
2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Coimbatore (South), Coimbatore-641 018, Coimbatore.
3. The Tahsildar, Tahsildar Office, Sulur, Coimbatore District.
.. Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the 1st and 2nd respondents to release the petitioner's Tipper bearing Registration No.TN-66-D-8515, which is in the custody of the 3rd respondent.
For Petitioner : Mr.W.Gamyles Gandhi For Respondents :
Mr.V.Shanmuga Sundar Special Government Pleader
O R D E R
[Order of the Court was made by R.SUBBIAH, J] The petitioner has filed the above Writ Petition praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st and 2nd
respondents to release the petitioner's Tipper bearing Registration No.TN-66-D-8515, which is in the custody of the 3rd respondent.
2. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents.
3. According to the petitioner, the respondents have seized the vehicle in question on 22.06.2019 on the ground of illegal carrying of stones 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 the learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents that the vehicle in question was used for illegal transportation of mines and minerals like stones 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 fourth 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.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 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 the proceedings before the authority concerned.
(v)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(J) Dated:09/07/2019 *Corrected as per the order of this Court dated 19/07/2019 made in WMP 20064 of 2019 in W.P.18183 of 2019 Sd/ Assistant Registrar(CS-VII) Dated:23/07/2019 //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar mp/gm To *1.The Assistant Director, To be substituted for the Geology and Mining, order already despatched O/o Collectorate Office, on 11/07/2019 as per the Coimbatore -640 018, order of this Court dated Coimbatore District. 19/07/2019 in WMP 20064/19 in WP 18183 of 2019 2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Coimbatore (South), Coimbatore-641 018, Coimbatore.
3. The Tahsildar, Tahsildar Office, Sulur, Coimbatore Dist.
+1cc to Mr.W.Camyles Gandhi, Advocate, S.R.No.61812 +1cc to the Government Pleader, S.R.No.62380 W.P.No.18183 of 2019 RRS(10/07/2019) srg 24/07/2019