Madras High Court
V. Sekar vs The Revenue Divisional Officer on 19 August, 2019
Author: R.Subbiah
Bench: R.Subbiah, C.Saravanan
Writ Petition No.24060 of 2019
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 19.08.2019
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.SUBBIAH
and
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN
Writ Petition No.24060 of 2019
V. Sekar
S/o. Vadivel ...Petitioner
Vs
1.The Revenue Divisional Officer,
Ranipet,
Vellore District.
2.The Tahsildar,
Walaja,
Vellore District.
3.State rep. By its
The Inspector of Police,
Sholinghur Police Station,
Vellore District. ...Respondents
Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of The Constitution of India
praying for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus to direct the respondents 1
and 2 to release the petitioner's Lorry bearing Registration No.TN-05-R-
0839, which is in the custody of the 3rd respondent.
For Petitioner : Mr. G.P.Sivakumar
For Respondents : Mr.V.Shanmuga Sundar
Special Government Pleader
*****
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Writ Petition No.24060 of 2019
ORDER
[Order was made by R.SUBBIAH, J] Petitioner has filed the above Writ Petition praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing respondents 1 and 2 to release the petitioner's Lorry bearing Registration No.TN-05-R-0839, which is in the custody of the 3rd respondent.
2. Heard learned counsel for petitioner and learned Special Government Pleader for respondents.
3. According to petitioner, the vehicle in question was seized on 01.08.2019 on the ground of illegal carrying of river sand and till date, no order for release of the said vehicle had been passed by the respondents. Hence, he has come forward with the present Writ Petition.
4. On the other hand, it is submitted by learned Special Government Pleader for respondents that the vehicle in question was used for illegal transportation of mines and minerals like river sand and hence, the vehicle was seized. He would further submit that petitioner has no previous case. 2/6 http://www.judis.nic.in Writ Petition No.24060 of 2019
5. In any event, as the vehicle is under the custody of the respondents from the date of seizure and considering the fact that if the same is allowed to be kept idle by exposing the same to rain and shine, it would certainly diminish their value, this Court is of the view that the vehicle in question may be released by imposing conditions on the petitioner.
6. Accordingly, the respondents are directed to release the vehicle in question to the petitioner within a period of 7 days from the date of compliance of the below mentioned condition Nos.(i) to (iii):
(i) Petitioner shall deposit a sum of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand only) before the jurisdictional Tahsildar concerned as non-refundable deposit. After receipt of the above said amount, the same will have to be deposited by the jurisdictional Tahsildar concerned, to the credit of the District Mines and Minerals Foundation Trust as non-refundable deposit.
(ii) Petitioner shall execute a personal bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/-
(Rupees ten thousand only) with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the concerned jurisdictional Judicial Magistrate.
(iii)Petitioner shall give an undertaking before the respondents/authority 3/6 http://www.judis.nic.in Writ Petition No.24060 of 2019 concerned stating that he will not use the vehicle in question for any illegal activities in future and shall produce the same as and when required by the respondents and also the trial Court, failing which the respondents/trial Court is/are at liberty to confiscate the vehicle.
(iv)Petitioner shall not alienate the vehicle in question till the disposal of the proceedings before the authority concerned.
(v) Petitioner is also directed to participate in the enquiry to be conducted by the respondents.
With the above observations and directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.
[R.P.S., J] [C.S.N., J]
19.08.2019
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Note to office: Issue order copy within two (2) weeks Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order Index : Yes/ No, Internet : Yes gm 4/6 http://www.judis.nic.in Writ Petition No.24060 of 2019 To
1.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Ranipet, Vellore District.
2.The Tahsildar, Walaja, Vellore District.
3.The Inspector of Police, Sholinghur Police Station, Vellore District.
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