Poopandi v. The District Supply Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 09.06.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN Poopandi ... Petitioner Vs

1. The District Supply Officer, Ramanathapuram, Ramanathapuram District.

2. The Inspector of Police, Civil Supplies CID, Ramanathapuram District.

In Crime No. 55/2025.

3. The District Revenue Officer, District Revenue Office, Ramanathapuram, Ramanathapuram District.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus to direct the respondents to forth with to release the petitioner's vehicle TATA Xenon pickup vehicle, bearing Registration No. TN-58-AF-1014 from their custody, on the basis of the petitioner's representation dated 27.05.2025.

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For petitioner : Mr. K.Sathish Kumar For respondents : Mr.C.Satheesh Government Advocate for R1 & R3 Mr.K.Sanjai Gandhi Government Advocate (Crl.Side) for R2 *****

ORDER

This Writ Petition is disposed of at the time of admission, after hearing the learned counsel for the petitioner, learned Government Advocate for the respondents 1 and 3 and learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) for the second respondent.

2. The petitioner's vehicle, bearing registration No.TN-58-AF-1014 was hired by the accused person, namely, Soundarapandian in FIR in Crime No.55 of 2025 dated 23.05.2025 on the file of the second respondent for transporting 3650 kgs of PDF rice.

3. It is submitted that the petitioner is not arrayed as an accused in the FIR mentioned above and also the seizure of the vehicle will result in speedy 2/5

depreciation.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) for the second respondent confirms that the petitioner is not arrayed as accused in FIR registered for violation of the provisions under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 read with TNSC (RDCS) Order, 1982.

5. Considering the fact that the petitioner has no involvement in the case and considering the fact that the petitioner's vehicle has been seized by the second respondent and also considering the fact that the vehicle will be speedy depreciation, if it is not to be used, the Court is inclined to order provisional release of the vehicle to the petitioner, subject to the petitioner depositing a sum of Rs.25,000/- before the Judicial Magistrate-II, Ramanathapuram for provisional release of the said vehicle. The aforesaid amount shall be appropriated, in case confiscation is ordered.

6. The petitioner shall also execute necessary security deposit undertaking to pay the balance amount, if any, in the proposed adjudication in the confiscation 3/5

proceedings.

7. This Writ Petition is disposed of with above observations. No costs. Index : Yes / No 09.06.2025 Internet : Yes / No apd To

1. The District Supply Officer, Ramanathapuram, Ramanathapuram District.

2. The Inspector of Police, Civil Supplies CID, Ramanathapuram District.

In Crime No. 55/2025.

3. The District Revenue Officer, District Revenue Office, Ramanathapuram, Ramanathapuram District.

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C.SARAVANAN, J.

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