Suresh v. The Revenue Divisional Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED:10.01.2020

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE PUSHPA SATHYANARAYANA Suresh ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Revenue Divisional Office, Devakottai, Sivagangai District.

2.The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Karaikudi Taluk, Sivagangai District.

3.The Inspector of Police, Sakkottai Police Station, Sivagangai District.

4.The Assistant Director, Tamilnadu Mines and Minerals, Sivagangai District.

... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 17.05.2019 and release the petitioner's lorry bearing Registration No.TN-21-AR-7479 seized on 10.05.2019 and hand over to the petitioner. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Sathyachidambaram For Respondents : Mrs.J.Padmavathi Devi, Special Government Pleader

ORDER

Mrs.J.Padmavathi Devi, learned Special Government Pleader takes notice for the respondents.

2. By consent, the writ petition is taken up for disposal at the admission stage itself.

3. This Writ petition has been filed by the petitioner praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 17.05.2019 and release the petitioner's lorry bearing Registration No.TN-21-AR-7479 seized on 10.05.2019 and hand over the same to the petitioner. 1/3

4. According to the petitioner, even though he had plied the aforesaid vehicle with all relevant documents, the third respondent has seized the vehicle.

5. On the other hand, it is submitted by the learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents that the vehicle was seized as the same was plied without valid papers for transporting four units of sand.

6. In any event, as the vehicle is under the custody of the respondents having been seized on 10.05.2019 and considering the fact that if the same is allowed to be kept idle by exposing the same to sun and rain, it would certainly diminish its value. Therefore, pending proceedings before the respondents, this Court is of the view that the vehicle can be released by imposing certain conditions on the petitioner for release of the aforesaid vehicle.

7. Accordingly, the first respondent is directed to release the vehicle in question to the petitioner within a period of seven days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order subject to the following conditions:

"(i) The petitioner shall produce documents before the first respondent under whose custody the vehicle is kept, to establish the ownership of the vehicle in question;

(ii) The petitioner shall deposit a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh Only) (Rs.25,000/- for each unit of sand) for the vehicle before the first respondent herein;

(iii) The petitioner shall give an undertaking that he will not use the vehicle for any illegal activities in future and shall produce the same as and when required by the respondents;

(iv) On doing so, the vehicle in question shall be returned to the petitioner;

(v) The petitioner shall not alienate the vehicle in question till the disposal of the proceedings before the authority concerned;

(vi) The first respondent is directed to complete the enquiry within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order; and (vii) The petitioner is also directed to participate in the enquiry to be conducted by the first respondent."

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8. The writ petition is ordered accordingly. No costs. Sd/- Assistant Registrar (CS-II) // True Copy // / /2020 Sub Assistant Registrar(CS) pm To:

1.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Revenue Divisional Office, Devakottai,Sivagangai District.

2.The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Karaikudi Taluk, Sivagangai District.

3.The Inspector of Police, Sakkottai Police Station, Sivagangai District.

4.The Assistant Director, Tamilnadu Mines and Minerals, Sivagangai District.

+1 CC to M/s.S.SATHIYACHIDAMBARAM, Advocate ( SR-1507[F] 10.01.2020 SMA/28/01/2020/3P/6C 3/3