Raju, S/O.Ganapathy, v. The Revenue Divisional Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 15.05.2019

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE J.NISHA BANU W.P.(MD)No.12030 of 2019 Raju ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Thanjavur Revenue Divisional, Thanajvur District.

2. The Inspector of Police, Ammapettai Police Station, Thanjavur District.

3. The Assistant Director, Department of Geology and Mines, Thanjavur, Thanjavur 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 release the petitioner's vehicle TATA 407 Van bearing Registration No.TN 45 B 1000 to the petitioner within a stipulated time. For Petitioner : Mr.A.Arun Prasad For Respondents : Mrs.J.Padmavathy Devi Special Government Pleader

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed for a direction to the respondents to release the petitioner's vehicle ie., TATA 407 Van bearing Registration No.TN 45 B 1000

2. Heard the learned counsel for both sides.

3. The petitioner's vehicle was seized in connection with illegal transportation of sand. The enquiry in this regard is still pending. The learned counsel for the petitioner affirms before this Court that the petitioner's vehicle was not involved in any previous incident of sand theft or illegal transportation of sand and that the petitioner has deposited a sum of Rs.22,500/- on the file of the first respondent.

4. The learned Special Government Pleader also would submit that the petitioner has already deposited a sum of Rs.22,500/-.

5. The submission of the learned counsel for the petitioner is placed on record. If this submission turns out to be false, the

order now passed by this Court would stand automatically recalled and the petitioner will be visited with serious consequences. I am of the view that no purpose will be served by keeping the vehicle in question in the custody of the respondents. If the vehicle is kept in open space and exposed to sun light and rain, it would lose its value. In view of the above and considering the fact that the petitioner has already deposited a sum of Rs.22,500/- before the first respondent, the respondents are directed to release the said vehicle subject to the following conditions.

6. Accordingly, this Writ Petition is disposed of with the following directions.

"(i) The petitioner is directed to produce all the documents pertaining to the ownership of the seized vehicle.

(ii) The petitioner is directed to file an affidavit of undertaking that he will cause production of the vehicle in question before the competent/concerned respondent ( as the case may be) as and when called for and further, he will not alienate the vehicle in question till the appropriate proceedings initiated are completed;

(iii) On compliance of the above conditions, second respondent is directed to release the seized vehicle bearing Registration No.TN 45 B 1000 to the petitioner. (iv) The first respondent is directed to pass final orders in the adjudication proceedings, if any, within a period of 45 days;

(v) This order for the release of the vehicle can be pressed into service by the petitioner only if the vehicle is not in the custody of the criminal Court. If the vehicle is in the custody of the concerned criminal Court of appropriate jurisdiction, then option is given to the petitioner to approach the concerned Judicial Magistrate to get release of the vehicle, by filing necessary application in the manner known to law and in accordance with law; and (vi) Inasmuch as the vehicle bearing Registration No.TN 45 B 1000 is seized by the second respondent, the aforesaid order is to be complied with within a period of one week, if no order of adjudication is passed as on today.

No costs.

sd/ Vacation Officer /True Copy/ Sub Assistant Registrar

To

1. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Thanjavur Revenue Divisional, Thanajvur District.

2. The Inspector of Police, Ammapettai Police Station, Thanjavur District.

3. The Assistant Director, Department of Geology and Mines, Thanjavur, Thanjavur District.

+1 CC to Mr.A.ARUN PRASAD, Advocate ( SR-65908[F] dated 16/05/2019 ) +1 CC to SPL GP ( SR-66066[F] dated 16/05/2019 ) W.P.(MD)No.12030 of 2019 15.05.2019 akv MK/20.05.2019/3P/6C