IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SIRI JAGAN MONDAY, THE 26TH MAY 2008 / 5TH JYAISHTA 1930 WP(C).No. 14535 of 2008(E) -------------------------- PETITIONER: ------------ 1. P. ACHAN MATHEW, S/O. MATHEW, AGED 57 YEARS, PADINJAREPARAMBIL HOUSE, SIVANKUNNU, MANNARKAD, PALAKKAD DISTRICT. 2. RAJENDRAN T.S., S/O.RAMAKRISHNAN NAIR, AGED 32 YEARS, THACHODIYIL, MOONNECRE P.O., KARIMBA, PALAKKAD DISTRICT. BY ADV. SRI.BABU JOSEPH KURUVATHAZHA SRI.K.I.SAGEER RESPONDENTS: ------------- 1. STATE OF KERALA, REP. BY ITS SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, DEPARTMENT OF FOREST AND WILD LIFE, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. THE DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER, MANNARKAD, PALAKKAD DISTRICT. 3. THE RANGE OFFICER, MANNARKAD FOREST RANGE, PALAKKAD DISTRICT. 4. THE DEPUTY FOREST RANGE OFFICER, PALAKKAYAM, MANNARKAD, PALAKKAD DISTRICT. BY SHRI.RENJITH THAMBAN, SPECIAL G.P. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 26/05/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: S.SIRI JAGAN, J. ================== W.P.(C).No.14535 of 2008 ================== Dated this the 26th day of May, 2008 J U D G M E N T The petitioners' vehicles have been seized on allegations of commission of a Forest offence. The vehicles have been seized on 4.4.2008. Confiscation proceedings are in progress. The petitioners seek interim custody of the vehicles pending confiscation proceedings. The learned Special Government Pleader submits that as per the Supreme Court decision reported in State of Jharkhand v. Govind Singh [2005 (1) KLT 34 (SC)] vehicles cannot be released. Whatever that be, since the seizure is only on 4.4.2008, I am not inclined to direct release of the vehicles at present. However, the 2nd respondent shall pass final orders in the confiscation proceedings within six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. The writ petition is disposed of as above. Sd/- sdk+ S.SIRI JAGAN, JUDGE ///True copy/// P.A. to Judge 2