IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SIRI JAGAN WEDNESDAY, THE 16TH JULY 2008 / 25TH ASHADHA 1930 WP(C).No. 18140 of 2008(H) -------------------------- PETITIONER: ------------ AMMINI, W/O.MATHEW, ETTUPANKIL HOUSE, SEETHATHODU, VALUPARA, RANNY TALUK PATHANAMTHITTA BY ADV. SRI.ABRAHAM SAMSON RESPONDENTS: ------------- 1. THE FOREST OFFICER, AANGANMUZHY, KOCHUKOICKAL BEAT, FOREST STATION, RANNY DIVISION PATHANAMTHITTA ADDITIONAL RESPONDENT: 2. THE DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER, RANNY, PATHANAMTHITTA. BY SPECIAL G.P. SHRI.RENJITH THAMPAN THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 16/07/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: S.SIRI JAGAN, J. ================== W.P.(C).No.18140 of 2008 ================== Dated this the 16th day of July, 2008 J U D G M E N T The vehicle of the petitioner has been proceeded against in confiscation proceedings under the Kerala Forest Act on allegations of commission of a forest offence. The petitioner approached the additional 2nd respondent for interim custody of the vehicle, which was rejected by Ext.P5. The petitioner challenges Ext.P5 and seeks a direction to the additional 2nd respondent to give interim custody of the vehicle to the petitioner. 2. The learned Special Government Pleader (Forests) opposes the same. Quoting the Supreme Court decision in State of Karantatka v. Krishna (AIR 2000 SCW 2911), he would submit that at this point of time interim custody of the vehicle cannot be given to the petitioner. 3. Having considered the arguments of both sides, I dispose of this writ petition with a direction to the additional 2nd respondent to complete the confiscation proceedings within a w.p.c.18140/08 2 period of three months from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this judgment after complying with the procedural requirements for the same. The writ petition is disposed of as above. Sd/- sdk+ S.SIRI JAGAN, JUDGE ///True copy/// P.A. to Judge