IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANTONY DOMINIC WEDNESDAY, THE 21ST JANUARY 2009 / 1ST MAGHA 1930 WP(C).No. 2203 of 2009(K) ------------------------------------ PETITIONER(S): -------------------- MUHAMMED, S/O. ALI PALEPADIYAN HOUSE, KADUKOOR,KOOTTILANGADI. BY ADV. SRI.KISHOR B. SRI.K.VIDYASAGAR RESPONDENT(S): ------------------------ DISTRICT COLLECTOR, MALAPPURAM . GOVT.PLEADER SRI.P.N.SANTHOSH THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 21/01/2009, ALONG WITH WPC WPC NO.2220/09, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ANTONY DOMINIC, J. ============== W.P.(C) NOs. 2203 & 2220 OF 2009 (L) ======================== Dated this the 21st day of January, 2009 J U D G M E N T The challenge in these writ petitions is against Ext.P1, orders passed by the District Collector exercising his powers under the Kerala Protection of River Banks and Regulation of Removal of Sand Act, 2001 on 4/12/2008. By these orders, petitioners have been found guilty and have been directed to remit Rs.70,000/- each to the River Management Fund for release of the vehicles. A reading of the orders would show that despite having received notice of hearing, the petitioners did not appear before the District Collector or raise any contentions. In the writ petition also, no satisfactory explanation, except the alleged pre occupation of the petitioners, is forthcoming to justify their absence. In the absence of such a valid reason, I cannot but uphold the order passed by the District Collector. Further, nothing has been brought to conclude that orders are illegal for any reason. The vehicles being mini lorries, the amount fixed for remittance to the River Management Fund also cannot be said to be disproportionate. Writ petitions fail and are dismissed. ANTONY DOMINIC, JUDGE Rp