Pradeep 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 Pradeep ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Revenue Officer, Collectorate, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District.

2. The Inspector of Police, Civil Supplies Crime Investigation Department, Madurai Range, Kulithurai, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District.

...

Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of directing the respondents to release the Petitioner's TATA Super ACE bearing registration No. KL-19-H-9082, seized by the 2nd respondent Police, by consider the Petitioner's representation dated on 30.03.2021, within a time stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.S.Vikram For Respondents : Mr.P.Thilak Kumar, Standing Counsel for Government

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 Super ACE bearing Reg.No.KL-19-H-9082.

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 1/3

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.

5.The petitioner's counsel submits that the petitioner is not having the original R.C.Book, because he is only an agreement holder. The original documents are with the financier. The respondents are directed to return the same to the petitioner on production of the photocopies. 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) to the credit of Government of Tamil Nadu, CMPRF in IOB, Secretariat Branch, Chennai-9 (Account No.11720 10000 00070, IFSC Code: IOBA0001172);

(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, the second respondent is directed to release the seized vehicle bearing Registration No.TN-KL-19-H-9082 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.KL-19-H-9082 is seized by the second respondent on 20.08.2020, the aforesaid order is to be complied with 2/3

within a period of one week, if no order of adjudication is passed as on today.

No costs.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar (CS-I) // True Copy // / /2021 Sub Assistant Registrar(CS) To 1.The District Revenue Officer, Collectorate, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District.

2. The Inspector of Police, Civil Supplies Crime Investigation Department, Madurai Range, Kulithurai, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District.

Copy to The Officer Incharge, Chief Minister public Relief Fund, Secretariat, Chennai-9 +1 CC to M/s.SPL GP ( SR-18957[F] dated 07/06/2021 ) W.P.(MD)No. 9240 of 2021 04.06.2021 KB(23.06.2021) 3P 5C 3/3