Prabhu.A v. The District Revenue Officer,
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 04.06.2021
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE J.NISHA BANU A.Prabhu
...Petitioner
Vs.
1.(*)The District Revenue Officer, Tirunelveli, Tirunelveli District.
2.The Inspector of Police, Civil Supplies C.I.D., Tirunelveli.
...Respondents
(*)R1 Cause title Amended as per order of this Court dated 30.06.2021 in WMP(MD).8240 of 2021 in WP(MD).9621 of 2021 PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the first respondent to release the Maruti Suzuki Super Carry bearing Registration No.TN72-BR-5326 seized by the second respondent on 13.02.2021, to the petitioner.
For Petitioner : Mr.T.Lenin Kumar For Respondents : Mr.P.Thilak Kumar Standing Counsel
O R D E R
This Writ Petition has been filed for a direction to the second respondent to release the Petitioner's vehicle ie., Maruti Suzuki Super Carry bearing Registration No.TN-72-BR-5326.
2. Heard the learned counsel for both sides.
3. The petitioner's vehicle was seized in connection with illegal transportation of PDS rice. 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 PDS rice.
4.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. Therefore, the respondents are directed to release the said vehicle subject to the following conditions.
1/3
5 Accordingly, this Writ Petition is disposed of with the following directions.
"(i)The petitioner is directed to deposit a sum of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen 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 second respondent is directed to release the seized vehicle bearing Registration No.TN-72-BR-5326 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 No.TN-72-BR-5326 is seized by the second respondent on 13.02.2021, 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(P & A) (*)Corrected as per order dated 30.06.2021 Sd/- Assistant Registrar(Records) // True Copy // / /2021 Sub Assistant Registrar(CS) sm 2/3
To (*)to be substituted the order already despatched on 22.06.2021 1.The District Revenue Officer, Tirunelveli, Tirunelveli District.
2.The Inspector of Police, Civil Supplies C.I.D., Tirunelveli.
Copy to 1.The District Revenue Officer, Tenkasi, Tenkasi District.
+1 CC to M/s.T.LENIN KUMAR, Advocate ( SR-18796[F] dated 04/06/2021 ) +1 CC to M/s.SPL GP ( SR-18954[F] dated 07/06/2021 ) W.P.(MD)No. 9621 of 2021 04.06.2021 CN(21.06.2021) 3P 5C TR(30.06.2021) 3P 6C 3/3