P.J.Kochu v. The District Collector
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.R.RAMACHANDRA MENON TUESDAY, THE 24TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2015/5TH PHALGUNA, 1936 WP(C).No. 17097 of 2012 (J) ------------------------------------------ PETITIONER(S) :
------------------------ P.J.KOCHU, AGED 43 YEARS, S/O.JACOB, PULIKKOTTIL HOUSE, THAIKAD P.O, GURUVAYOOR, THRISSUR DISTRICT, (REGISTERED OWNER OF THE VEHICLE BEARING REGISTRATION NO.KL-46B/2677).
BY ADV. SRI.BABU S. NAIR RESPONDENT(S) :
----------------------------
1. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, THRISSUR, PIN-680 001.
2. THE REVENUE DIVISIONAL OFFICER, THRISSUR, PIN-680 001.
3. THE SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE, ERUMAPETTY POLICE STATION, THRISSUR DISTRICT, PIN-680 584. BY SR.GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT.ANITHA RAVEENDRAN THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 24-02-2015, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
Msd.
WP(C).No. 17097 of 2012 (J) ------------------------------------------ APPENDIX PETITIONER(S)' EXHIBITS ------------------------------------- EXHIBIT P1: TRUE COPY OF THE SEIZURE MAHAZAR PREPARED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT DATED 19.07.2012.
EXHIBIT P2: TRUE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER DATED 03.04.2009 IN WP(C)NO.11206/2009 OF THIS HON'BLE COURT EXHIBIT P3: TRUE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER DATED 22.12.2010 IN WP(C)NO.38246/2010 OF THIS HON'BLE COURT.
EXHIBIT P4: TRUE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER DATED 11.03.2011 IN WP(C)NO.7689/2011 OF THIS HON'BLE COURT.
RESPONDENT(S)' EXHIBITS ----------------------------------------- NIL //TRUE COPY// P.A.TO JUDGE.
Msd.
P.R. RAMACHANDRA MENON, J.
======================== W.P.(C). No. 17097 of 2012 -------------------------------------------- Dated this the 24th day of February, 2015
JUDGMENT
The petitioner is the owner of the vehicle bearing No. KL46B/2677, which was seized by the 3rd respondent on 19.7.2012 alleging violation of the provisions of MMDR Act/KMMC Rules. This made the petitioner to approach this Court challenging the proceedings, mainly contending that the 3rd respondent does not have any power jurisdiction or competence to have seized the vehicles in any manner.
2. Heard the learned Government Pleader as well.
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
W.P.C. No. 17097 of 2012 -2rendered by a Division Bench of this Court in Construction Materials Movers Association V. State of Kerala [2008 (4) KLT 909]. In the said circumstance, there is no tenable ground to call for interference.
4. When the matter came up for consideration on 23.7.2012, the vehicle was caused to be released, on execution of 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 said 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 it compounded on satisfying the compounding fee of 25,000/- within ₹ two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. Once the offence is compounded, no prosecution proceedings will lie in view of the law declared by this
W.P.C. No. 17097 of 2012 -3Court in Digil Vs. Sub Inspector of Police [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 compounding the offence, 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.
kp/-