High Court of KeralaWP(C)/12476/2013disposed of

Satheesan v. The District Collector

2015-02-25Honourable Mr.Justice P.R.Ramachandra Menon5 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

PRESENT:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.R.RAMACHANDRA MENON WEDNESDAY, THE 25TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2015/6TH PHALGUNA, 1936 WP(C).No. 12476 of 2013 (H) --------------------------------------- PETITIONER(S):

----------------------- SATHEESAN, AGED 39 YEARS, S/O.KELAPPAN, IYYALOL HOUSE, KEEZHARIYOOR, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, (REGISTERED OWNER OF A MINI LORRY BEARING REGISTRATION NO KL-56C/8680) BY ADV. SRI.BABU S. NAIR RESPONDENT(S):

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1. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, KOZHIKODE, PIN - 673 001.

2. THE REVENUE DIVISIONAL OFFICER, KOZHIKODE PIN - 673 001.

3. THE VILLAGE OFFICER, PAYYOLI VILLAGE, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673 523. BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI.M.MUHAMMED SHAFI THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 25-02-2015, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: msv/

WP(C).No. 12476 of 2013 (H) ---------------------------------------- APPENDIX PETITIONER(S)' EXHIBITS ------------------------------------- EXHIBIT P1: TRUE COPY OF THE SEIZURE MAHAZAR PREPARED BY THE THIRD RESPONDENT DATED 8-5-2013.

RCHIBIT P2: TRUE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER DATED 3-06-2011 IN WPC NO 15058/2011 OF THIS HON'BLE COURT.

EXHIBIT P3: TRUE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER DATED 11-03-2011 IN WPC NO 7689/2011 OF THIS HON'BLE COURT RESPONDENT(S)' EXHIBITS:

----------------------------------------- NIL //TRUE COPY// P.S.TO JUDGE Msv/

P.R. RAMACHANDRA MENON, J.

-------------------------------------------- W.P(C). No. 12476 of 2013 ------------------------------------------- Dated this the 25th day of February, 2015

J U D G M E N T

The vehicle bearing No.KL-56C/8680 was seized by the third respondent alleging offence under the Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act and the Kerala Minor Mineral Concession Rules. The main ground of challenge is that, the respondent is not having the jurisdiction or authority to effect seizure.

2. Heard both the sides.

3. The authority of the respondent to effect seizure has already been considered by this Court and the power and competence has been upheld as per the decision reported in Aloshias C. Antony Vs. Government of Kerala [2014(1) KLT 536]. The said decision was rendered, also taking note of the nature of offence which is a 'cognizable' one (notwithstanding anything contained in the Cr.P.C) as stipulated in Section 21(6) of MMDR Act, 1957 and also placing reliance on the judgment rendered by a Division Bench of this Court in Construction Materials Movers Association V. State of Kerala [2008 (4)

WP(c). No.12476 of 2013 KLT 909]. In the said circumstance, there is no tenable ground to call for interference.

4. When the matter came up for consideration on 29.05.2013, the vehicle was caused to be released, on satisfaction of a sum Rs.25,000/- with a simple bond. In the said circumstance, the further course of action required is to surrender the vehicle before the concerned respondent, so as to enable the respondent to produce it before the concerned Magistrate having jurisdiction over the area and to proceed with steps for prosecution, unless the offence is sought to be compounded.

5. The petitioner expresses desire to compound the offence by virtue of the enabling provisions under the relevant provisions of law. This Court finds it fit and proper to permit the petitioner to have the offence compounded on satisfying the compounding fee of Rs.25,000/-. The amount ordered to be paid as per the interim order dated 29.05.2013 shall be treated as compounding fee and offence shall be treated as compounded. Once the offence is compounded, no prosecution proceedings will lie in view of the law declared by this Court in Digil Vs. Sub Inspector of Police

WP(c). No.12476 of 2013 [2013(1) KLT 600]. It shall be reported to the concerned Magistrate, if the crime has already been reported. If there is any failure in satisfying the compounding fee, the concerned respondent shall pursue further steps in connection with the prosecution before the concerned Magistrate having jurisdiction over the area.

The writ petition is disposed of.

Sd/- P.R. RAMACHANDRA MENON, JUDGE.