IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE T.R.RAMACHANDRAN NAIR TUESDAY, THE 5TH JANUARY 2010 / 15TH POUSHA 1931 WP(C).No. 162 of 2010(U) ------------------------ PETITIONER(S): --------------- E.FIROZ BABU, S/O.MUHAMMED NAJEEB, AGED 24 YEARS, ERANHIKKAL HOUSE, MAMBAD P.O., MALAPPURAM DISTRICT. BY ADV. SRI.SUNNY MATHEW RESPONDENT(S): --------------- 1. THE SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE, WANDOOR POLICE STATION. 2. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, MALAPPURAM. BY G.P. HRI P. NARAYANAN THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 05/01/2010, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: T.R. Ramachandran Nair, J. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - W.P.(C) No. 162 of 2010-U - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dated this the 5th day of January, 2010. JUDGMENT The petitioner herein is the registered owner of a Light Goods Vehicle - Tipper bearing registration No.KL-11-X 1131. On 24.12.2009, the first respondent seized the vehicle of the petitioner alleging illegal transportation of river sand. On seizing the vehicle, the first respondent had reported the matter to the second respondent. The petitioner submits that he is totally innocent of the allegations levelled against him. The petitioner approached the second respondent for interim custody of the vehicle. He further submits that the action of the second respondent in not passing final orders regarding the seizure of the vehicle, is illegal. Aggrieved by the delay in disposal of the matter, this writ petition is filed. 2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Govt. Pleader. 3. There will be a direction to the second respondent to pass orders regarding the interim custody of the vehicle, within a period of seven days from the date of production of a copy of this judgment, in the light of the well settled principles laid down by this Court in various decisions and on such terms and conditions. The matter will be considered in accordance wpc 162/2010 2 with law. There will be a further direction to the second respondent to pass final orders within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment with notice to the petitioner and after considering the pleas raised by the petitioner, on merits. The writ petition is disposed of as above. No costs. (T.R. Ramachandran Nair, Judge.) kav/