IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANTONY DOMINIC FRIDAY, THE 4TH JANUARY 2008 / 14TH POUSHA 1929 WP(C).No. 37469 of 2007(I) -------------------------- PETITIONER: --------------- SHAHUL, S/O. RAHIM, AGED 25 YEARS, KANJIRAPPARAMBIL, 10 NORTH PARAVUR, PARAVUR MUNCIPALITY. BY ADV. SRI.M.RAMESH CHANDER RESPONDENTS: ----------------- 1. DISTRICT COLLECTOR, ERNAKULAM. 2. STATION HOUSE OFFICER, NORTH PARAVUR POLICE STATION, NORTH PARAVUR, ERNAKULAM DISTRICT. BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI.I.V.PRAMOD THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 04/01/2008, ALONG WITH W.P.(C) NOs. 38172, 38173, 38174, 38175 & 38176 OF 2007, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ANTONY DOMINIC, J. =============== W.P.(C) NOs. 37469, 38172, 38173, 38174, 38175 & 38176 OF 2007 ===================== Dated this the 4th day of January, 2008 J U D G M E N T Except in WP(C) No.37469/07, trucks belonging to the respective petitioners have been seized on the allegation of unauthorised transportation of river sand. 2. In WP(C) 37469/07, proceedings are in respect of a boat and that too is on identical allegations. 3. Facts of these cases show that proceedings are now pending before the respective District Collector, who is to pass order in terms of Rule 27 of Protection of River Banks and Regulation of Removal of Sand Rules. In the meanwhile, complaining of delay in passing such orders, petitioners have approached this court seeking release of the vehicles, pending finalisation of the proceedings. 4. In view of the fact that the statutory authority, the WPC Nos.37469, 38172, 38173, 38174, 38175 & 38176 /07 :2 : District Collector concerned, is seized of the issue, I do not think it proper to direct release of the vehicles/boat at this stage. In my view the appropriate order to be passed is to require the District Collector concerned to pass orders in terms of Rule 27 as it is his statutory duty and that too on an expeditious basis. 5. Accordingly, I direct that the District Collector concerned shall pass final orders in terms of Rule 27 of the Protection of River Banks and Regulation of Removal of Sand Rules, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate within ten days of production of a copy of this judgment. Needless to say that before final orders are passed, notice shall be given to the petitioners. Writ petitions are disposed of as above. ANTONY DOMINIC, JUDGE. Rp