IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SIRI JAGAN THURSDAY, THE 28TH AUGUST 2008 / 6TH BHADRA 1930 WP(C).No. 23789 of 2008(F) -------------------------- PETITIONER: --------------- RAJ MOHAN, S/O.VEERANNAN, HOUSE NO.438/2, KOTTAYIRUPPU VILLAGE THIRUPATHUR TALUK, SIVAGANGA DISTRICT , TAMILNADU. BY ADV. SRI.LATHEESH SEBASTIAN RESPONDENTS: ----------------- 1. DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER MARAYOOR FOREST DIVISION, MARYOOR IDUKKI DISTRICT. 2. DEPUTY RANGER, FOREST STASTION, KANTHALLOOR. BY SPL. GOVERNMENT PLEADER(FOREST) SRI.RENJITH THAMPAN THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 28/08/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: S.SIRI JAGAN, J ================== W.P(C)No.23789 of 2008 ================== Dated this the 28th day of August, 2008. J U D G M E N T The petitioner's vehicle has been seized on allegations of commission of a forest offence. Confiscation proceedings under the Kerala Forest Act are pending. In view of the fact that confiscation proceedings would take time, the petitioner seeks interim custody of the vehicle. 2. I have heard the learned Government Pleader also. 3. In the facts and circumstances of the case, I feel that the vehicle can be released to the petitioner on the petitioner depositing the value of the vehicle as assessed by the 1st respondent. Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of with the following directions: The 1st respondent shall get the value of the vehicle assessed by a competent officer of the Motor Vehicles Department and inform the petitioner the value so determined. On the petitioner depositing the amount so intimated to the petitioner, the vehicle of the petitioner shall be released forthwith. This is subject to the condition that the petitioner shall not alienate or otherwise part with possession of the vehicle until confiscation proceedings are over. The petitioner shall also produce proof of ownership of the vehicle. S.SIRI JAGAN, JUDGE rhs