Madras High CourtWP(MD)/13666/2022disposed of

M/S Siva Sakthi Enterprises v. The District Collector

2022-09-01Honourable Mr Justice G.R.Swaminathan4 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 01.09.2022

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN and W.M.P.(MD).No.9722 of 2022 M/s. Siva Sakthi Enterprises, Represented by its Proprietor, K.Karthikeyan ... Petitioner Vs 1.The District Collector, Thoothukudi District, Thoothukudi.

2.The District Revenue Officer, Thoothukudi, Thoothukudi District.

3.The District Supply and Consumer Protection Officer, O/o. The District Supply and Consumer Protection Office, Thoothukudi, Thoothukudi District.

4.The Inspector of Police, Thoothukudi Police Station, CSCID-Madurai.

... Respondents 1/4

Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the second respondent to grant custody of the Tanker Lorry bearing Registration No. TN 18 BD 8790 to the petitioner along with 17,000 liters Ambol Agri Spray Oil, which was seized by the fourth Respondent on 24.10.2021 in connection with the case in Crime No.135/2021 and handed over to the second respondent in pursuant there to. For Petitioner : Mr.C.K.M.Appaji For Respondents : Mr.K.Balasubramani, Special Government Pleader.

ORDER

Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents.

2. The petitioner seeks interim custody of the petition mentioned vehicle along with contraband seized by the fourth respondent. In normal circumstances, this Court would grant interim custody. But considering the special facts and circumstances obtaining in this case, the interest of justice would be served by directing the competent authority to pass final order in confiscation proceedings on merits in accordance with law within a period of two (2) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. All the contentions of the writ petitioner are left open. 2/4

3. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition stands closed.

01.09.2022 Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No Nsr To 1.The District Collector, Thoothukudi District, Thoothukudi.

2.The District Revenue Officer, Thoothukudi, Thoothukudi District.

3.The District Supply and Consumer Protection Officer, O/o. The District Supply and Consumer Protection Office, Thoothukudi, Thoothukudi District.

4.The Inspector of Police, Thoothukudi Police Station, CSCID-Madurai.

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G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.

Nsr 01.09.2022 4/4