Thangapandian v. The District Revenue Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 29.01.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI Thangapandian ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Revenue Officer, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram.

2.The Inspector of Police, Civil Supplies C.I.D.Madurai, Ramanathapuram, In Crime No. 109/2022.

... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents herein to forth with to release the petitioner's Mahindra Bolero bearing Registration No. TN-79-C-2784 from their custody on the basis of his representation dated 03.07.2024. For Petitioner : Mr.R.Maheswaran For R-1 : Mr.S.Kameswaran, Government Advocate For R-2 : Mr.K.Gnanasekaran, Government Advocate, (Criminal side) 1/6

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed to direct the respondents herein to forth with to release the petitioner's Mahindra Bolero bearing Registration No. TN-79-C-2784 from their custody on the basis of his representation dated 03.07.2024. 2.Heard the learned counsels on either sides and carefully perused the materials available on record.

3.The petition-mentioned vehicle Mahindra Bolero bearing Registration No. TN-79-C-2784 was seized in connection of a crime in Crime No.109 of 2022 registered by the 2nd respondent police for illegally transporting PDS. The petition mentioned vehicle is presently in the custody of the respondents. It is of course open to the respondent authority to initiate confiscation proceedings. In this case, I am concerned only with the issue of grant of interim custody of the vehicle to the petitioner. No purpose will be served in keeping the vehicle under the custody of the police.

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4.This Court has dealt with a similar case in W.P.(MD)No. 10134 of 2024 dated 25.04.2024 and has passed a favourable order to the petitioner therein and the relevant portion of the same is extracted as follows:

"5.... The Hon'ble Supreme Court in the decision reported in (2002) 10 SCC 283 (Sunderbhai Ambalal Desai and Others V.State of Gujarat) has held as follows:- 17.In our view, whatever be the situation, it is of no use to keep such seized vehicles at the police stations for a long period. It is for the Magistrate to pass appropriate orders immediately by taking appropriate bond and guarantee as well as security for return of the said vehicles, if required at any point of time. This can be done pending hearing of applications for return of such vehicles."

5.Therefore, the 1st respondent is directed to grant interim custody of the said vehicle subject to the following condition: 3/6

(i) The petitioner is directed to pay a sum of Rs. 5,000/- (Rupees Five Thousand only) in favour of the Aishwaryam Trust, Indian Bank, Tirunagar Branch, Madurai, Account No.6639017788, IFSC Code: IDIB000T032. It will be a non-refundable payment. The Managing Trustee of the Trust is directed to spend the said amount for the welfare of the inmates of the Trust. (ii) The petitioner shall not alienate or encumber the vehicle till the proceedings are completed.

(iii) The petitioner shall produce all the documents pertaining to the ownership of the seized vehicle. If the petitioner is an agreement holder, he can produce the relevant xerox copies.

(iv) As and when the respondents call for the vehicle for enquiry, the petitioner has to produce the vehicle in question and he shall cooperate with the enquiry to be conducted by the respondents.

(v)Respondents shall file a report under Sec 6(A) of Essential Commodities Act, 1955, to the Jurisdictional Collector within a period of 30 days from the date of receipt of copy of this order.

(vi)Owner of the vehicle may be added as an accused in the FIR, if necessary."

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6.Upon completion of these formalities, the respondents shall grant interim custody of the vehicle forthwith to the petitioner without any delay. If this undertaking given by the petitioner is breached, the petitioner will not be entitled to interim custody of the vehicle in future.

7.The writ petition is allowed accordingly. I make it clear that allowing of this writ petition will not have any bearing on the confiscation proceedings that may be initiated by the authorities. There shall bo no order as to costs.

29.01.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes Sml To 1.The District Revenue Officer, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram.

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

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L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J.

Sml 29.01.2025 6/6