IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE THOTTATHIL B.RADHAKRISHNAN THURSDAY, THE 11TH JUNE 2009 / 21ST JYAISHTA 1931 WP(C).No. 16106 of 2009(G) -------------------------- PETITIONER(S): --------------- SANTHOSH PANKAJAKSHAN, AGED 49 YEARS, S/O. PANKAJAKSHAN, VAKAVAYALIL HOUSE, KATTAPPANA, IDUKKI. BY ADV. SRI.V.K.SUNIL RESPONDENT(S): --------------- 1. THE ASSISTANT EXCISE COMMISSIONER, THODUPUZHA. 2. THE CIRCLE INSPECTOR OF EXCISE, THODUPUZHA. 3. THE S.I. OF POLICE KARIMANAL POLICE STATION. 4. A.K. PUSHPARAJ, TODDY SHOP NO. 26/08-09, PANAMKUTTY, IDUKKI. BY GP K R DEEPA THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 11/06/2009, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: THOTTATHIL B RADHAKRISHNAN, J ........................................... WP(C).NO. 16106 OF 2009 ............................................ DATED THIS THE 11th DAY OF JUNE, 2009 JUDGMENT The petitioner claims that he is the registered owner of a vehicle, which was allegedly involved in an abkari offence and is presently being proceeded against for confiscation. He filed an application before the competent authority for interim custody of the vehicle. The rules provide for interim custody on the terms and conditions which are also statutorily regulated. There is no reason why the concerned officers do not consider the interim custody application, at least within one week of filing of such application. It is therefore directed that the petitioner's application, which is stated to be lying with the competent authority for the last nearly two months shall be taken up, considered and disposed of within two weeks of the production of the copy of this judgment. The view of this court in this judgment that such applications should be finally disposed of within two weeks shall gain attention of all competent authorities, exercising the function of granting interim custody of vehicles, pending WP(C)16106/2009 2 confiscation proceedings. The learned Government Pleader will ensure that this judgment gets noticed by the Excise Commissioner for appropriate executive instructions, if found necessary. THOTTATHIL B RADHAKRISHNAN, JUDGE lgk/12/6