Arunachalam v. The Sub Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 11.03.2015

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.RAVICHANDRABAABU W.P.(MD)Nos.3404 of 2015 Arunachalam ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Sub Collector, Cheramadevi, Tirunelveli District.

2.The Tahsildar, Nanguneri Taluk, Nanguneri, Tirunelveli District.

3.The Inspector of Police, Vijayanarayanam Police Station, Vijayanarayanam, Tirunelveli District. ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to release the petitioner's vehicle namely Tractor bearing registration number TN-69-AY-4091 and its attached Trailer bearing registration number TN-69-AY-4075 within the stipulated time as may be fixed by this Court. For Petitioner :

Mr.T.A.Ebenezer For Respondents :

Mr.T.S.Mohamed Mohideen, Additional Government Pleader.

ORDER

The petitioner seeks for a Mandamus, to direct the respondents to release the petitioner's vehicle namely Tractor and its attached Trailer bearing Registration Nos. TN-69-AY-4091 and TN69-AY-4075 respectively.

2. Heard the learned Counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents.

3. The grievance of the petitioner is that the said vehicles were not involved in any offence as alleged by the respondents and they were used only for lawful purpose. Therefore, for the release of the said vehicles, the present Writ Petition is filed.

4. In my considered view, all these contentions raised by the petitioner cannot be gone into by this Court at this stage. However, as the vehicles were seized and kept idle, certainly it would diminish the value of the same.

5. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the respondents are directed to release the said Tractor and its attached Trailer bearing Registration Nos. TN-69-AY-4091 and TN69-AY-4075, seized by the third respondent on 15.02.2015, to the petitioner, subject to the following conditions:- "i) The petitioner is directed to deposit a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand Only) with the first respondent within a period of one week from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

ii)On deposit of the said amount, the respondents are directed to release the vehicles on the following conditions:- (a)The petitioner shall produce before the respondents the relevant documents to establish that he is the owner of the vehicles;

(b) He shall execute an affidavit giving undertaking that he will not alienate the vehicles till the completion of the proceedings, if any, initiated against him;

iii) The respondents are at liberty to initiate proceeding against the petitioner, if the petitioner has violated any of the provisions of the Acts or Rules. But the proceeding has to be taken, within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. If no action is taken against the petitioner, within the said period, the amount deposited by him shall be returned to him; and (iv) The petitioner shall abide by the orders passed by the authority concerned or the respondents.

6. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar(A.E.,) /True Copy/ Sub-Assistant Registrar

To 1.The Sub Collector, Cheramadevi, Tirunelveli District.

2.The Tahsildar, Nanguneri Taluk, Nanguneri, Tirunelveli District.

3.The Inspector of Police, Vijayanarayanam Police Station, Vijayanarayanam, Tirunelveli District.

+1cc to Mr.T.A.Ebenezer, Advocate, in SR. No.11847. +1cc to Special Government Pleader, in SR No.12087. W.P(MD)No.3404 of 2015 11.03.2015 pjl msm 23.03.2015 p3/6c