IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.N.RAVINDRAN WEDNESDAY, THE 16TH DECEMBER 2009 / 25TH AGRAHAYANA 1931 WP(C).No. 33894 of 2009(F) -------------------------------------- PETITIONERS: --------------------- 1. SHAJI, S/O.SHAJI, 278/5, OTTARATTU HOUSE, ERIYAD GP, KODUNGALLUR, THRISSUR. 2. SANAL, S/O.NANDAN, AGED 26 YEARS, KUZHIKKATTU VEEDU, AZHIKKODE VILLAGE, KODUNGALLUR, THRISSUR. BY ADVS. MR.DENIZEN KOMATH, MR.SHERRY J. THOMAS. RESPONDENTS: ------------------------ 1. DISTRICT COLLECTOR, THRISSUR. 2. ADDITIONAL TAHSILDAR, KODUNGALLUR, THRISSUR. 3. SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE, KODUNGALLUR, THRISSUR. R1 TO R3 BY GOVT. PLEADER MR. P. NARAYANAN. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 16/12/2009,THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: prv. P.N.RAVINDRAN, J. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = == = = = = = = W.P.(C). No. 33894 OF 2009 = = = = = = = = = = = = = == = = = = = = = Dated this the 16th day of December 2009. JUDGMENT The first petitioner is the registered owner of a goods vehicle bearing registration No.KL 13 P-823. The said vehicle was given to the second petitioner to transport river sand. In the course of such transport, the vehicle was seized by the third respondent on the allegation that it was used to transport river sand without a valid pass. A report was thereupon submitted to the District Collector, Thrissur. The District Collector thereafter issued Ext.P2 notice dated 20.10.2009 to the petitioner inviting him to attend the hearing held on 04.11.2009. The petitioner appeared before the District Collector and moved for interim custody of his vehicle by submitting Ext.P3 representation. The grievance voiced by the petitioner is that though more than one month has passed after he was heard, till date orders have not been passed in the matter. In this writ petition, the petitioner seeks a direction to the respondents to release the vehicle to him by way of interim custody. He also seeks a direction to the W.P.(C). No. 33894 OF 2009 2 District Collector to finalise the proceedings initiated by him expeditiously. Sri. P.Narayanan, the learned Government Pleader submits on instructions that the District Collector will pass final orders in the matter within one week. In the light of the said submission, I dispose of this writ petition with a direction to the District Collector, Thrissur to pass final orders in the proceedings initiated by him under the Kerala Protection of River Banks and Regulation of Removal of Sand Act, 2001 and the Rules framed thereunder, expeditiously and in any event, within one week from today and to communicate a copy thereof to the first petitioner expeditiously thereafter. (P.N.RAVINDRAN) JUDGE kkms/