A.Murugaiah, S/O.Aathimoolam, v. The District Revenue Officer,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 05.12.2017

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.MAHADEVAN W.P.(MD)No.22223 of 2017 A.Murugaiah ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Revenue Officer, Tirunelveli District.

2.The Inspector of Police, Civil Supplies C.I.D., Tirunelveli.

... Respondents PRAYER:Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the 1st respondent to release the Lorry bearing Registration No.TN-30-R-4168 seized by the second respondent on 19.11.2017 to the petitioner. For Petitioner : Mr.T.Lenin Kumar For Respondents : Mr.M.Alagathevan, Special Government Pleader *****

ORDER

By consent, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal, at the stage of admission itself.

2. Mr.M.Alagathevan, learned Special Government Pleader takes notice for the respondents.

3. The case of the petitioner is that though he plied his vehicle with all valid documents, the second respondent, on 19.11.2017, seized his vehicle, as if he was illegally transporting rice bags. Aggrieved by this action of the authorities, the petitioner is before this Court, seeking a direction to release his vehicle, namely, Lorry, bearing Registration No.TN-30-R-4168.

4. On the other hand, the learned Special Government Pleader stoutly refuted the contentions of the learned Counsel for the petitioner, but he fairly submitted that the vehicle of the petitioner may be released, but stringent conditions may be imposed for stopping such occurrence, in future.

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5. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and in view of the fact that the vehicle in question is kept without any use by exposing it to sun and rain, it would certainly lose its value, the respondents are directed to release the vehicle in question to the petitioner on the following conditions: "(i)The petitioner shall produce necessary documents before the respondents to establish and to prove his ownership of the vehicle in question; (ii)The petitioner shall deposit a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only), with the first respondent;

(iii)The petitioner shall give an undertaking that he will not use the vehicle or any other vehicle for any illegal activities and also he will not indulge in such activities in future;

(iv) On doing so, the vehicle in question shall be returned to the petitioner; and (v)The petitioner shall not alienate the vehicle in question till the disposal of the proceedings before the authority concerned."

6. This Writ petition is ordered accordingly. No costs. Sd/- Assistant Registrar(C.O.) /True Copy/ Sub Assistant Registrar.

To 1.The District Revenue Officer, Tirunelveli District.

2.The Inspector of Police, Civil Supplies C.I.D., Tirunelveli.

+1CC to Mr.T.Lenin Kumar, Advocate, SR.No. 90961 W.P.(MD)No.22223 of 2017 05.12.2017 gk AM/JC/SAR 1/06.12.2017/2P/4C https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/