C.Sangilipandian, 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.11987 of 2019 C.Sangilipandian ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Revenue Divisional Office, Kovilpatti, Thoothukudi District.

2.The Tahsildar, Kayathar, Thoothukudi District.

3.The Inspector of Police, Kayathar Police Station, Thoothukudi District.

4.The Assistant Director, Mines and Minerals, Thoothukudi District.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents herein to pass appropriate orders to release the Tractor & Trailer of the petitioner bearing Registration No.TN-96 A-5980 and Registration No.TN-69 K-3367.

For Petitioner : Mr.M.Prabu For Respondents : Mr.M.Jeya Kumar Additional 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., Tractor & Trailer bearing Registration Nos.TN-96 A-5980 and TN-69 K-3367.

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.

4. The learned Additional Government Pleader would submit that two previous cases are pending against the petitioner.

5. The submission of the learned counsel for the petitioner is placed on record. Though the learned Additional Government Pleader would submit that two cases are pending against the petitioner, the learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that they are not in respect of sand theft. 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. Therefore, 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 deposit a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) before the first respondent;

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

(iii) 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;

(iv) On compliance of the above conditions, the third respondent is directed to release the seized vehicle bearing Registration Nos.TN-96 A-5980 and TN69 K-3367 to the petitioner. (v) The first respondent is directed to pass final orders in the adjudication proceedings, if any, within a period of 45 days;

(vi) 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 (vii) Inasmuch as the vehicle bearing Registration Nos.TN-96 A-5980 and TN-69 K-3367 is seized by the third respondent on 29.03.2019, 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/- Assistant Registrar (vo) // True Copy // Sub Assistant Registrar(CS) To 1.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Revenue Divisional Office, Kovilpatti, Thoothukudi District.

2.The Tahsildar, Kayathar, Thoothukudi District.

3.The Inspector of Police, Kayathar Police Station, Thoothukudi District.

4.The Assistant Director, Mines and Minerals, Thoothukudi District.

+1 CC to M/s.M.PRABU, Advocate ( SR-65905[F] dated 16/05/2019 ) +1 CC to M/s.SPL GP ( SR-65966[F] dated 16/05/2019 ) akv W.P.(MD)No.11987 of 2019 15.05.2019 KM/(20.05.2019) 3P 7C