IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SIRI JAGAN THURSDAY, THE 8TH JULY 2010 / 17TH ASHADHA 1932 WP(C).No. 19195 of 2010(Y) -------------------------- PETITIONER(S): --------------- SAJEER, S/O. KOYA, VIP COMPOUND, VALIYAKULAM WARD, ALLEPPEY DISTRICT. BY ADV. SRI.T.A.UNNIKRISHNAN SRI.K.SATHEESH KUMAR SRI.P.P.BIJU SRI.K.S.PRAVEEN RESPONDENT(S): --------------- THE DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN-695 001. GOVT. PLEADER SHRI.BENNY VARGHESE, THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 08/07/2010, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: S.SIRI JAGAN, J. ================== W.P.(C).No. 19195 of 2010 ================== Dated this the 8th day of July, 2010 J U D G M E N T The petitioner's vehicle has been seized on allegations of commission of a forest offence. The petitioner seeks interim custody of the vehicle. 2. The learned Government Pleader, on instructions, submits that the vehicle has been seized, since in the vehicle snake venom was being transported, which amounts to violation of the provisions of the Wild Life Protection Act. A criminal case has been registered and the vehicle had been produced before the jurisdictional Magistrate, who has entrusted the vehicle for safe custody with the respondent. Therefore, the learned Government Pleader submits that the remedy of the petitioner lies in approaching the criminal court under the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure for interim custody of the vehicle. Having heard both sides, I dispose of this writ petition without prejudice to the right of the petitioner to approach the jurisdictional magistrate for getting interim custody of the vehicle, in accordance with law. Sd/- sdk+ S.SIRI JAGAN, JUDGE ///True copy/// P.A. to Judge 2