IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANTONY DOMINIC TUESDAY, THE 15TH JULY 2008 / 24TH ASHADHA 1930 W.P(C).No. 21212 of 2008(A) ----------------------------------- PETITIONER: -------------- S.P. RAJENDRAN, ERATHUVALAKATHU PUTHEN VEEDU, PAZHAMALA, PERUMKADAVILA P.O., TRIVANDRUM. BY ADV. SRI.VAKKOM N.VIJAYAN SMT.REEJA HARI SMT.V.RENJU SRI.P.ANIYAN RESPONDENTS: ----------------- 1) STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY THE EXCISE COMMISSIONER, OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF EXCISE, TRIVANDRUM. 2) THE ASSISTANT EXCISE COMMISSIONER, TRIVANDRUM. 3) THE CIRCLE INSPECTOR, NEYYATTINKARA, EXCISE RANGE, TRIVANDRUM DISTRICT. BY GOVT. PLEADER, SMT. K.R. DEEPA THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 15/07/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ANTONY DOMINIC, J. =============== W.P.(C) NO. 21212 OF 2008 A ==================== Dated this the 15th day of July, 2008 J U D G M E N T Petitioner submits that he is the registered owner of a scooter bearing Regn.No.KL 01 Y 3119. According to him on 23/4/2008, the 3rd respondent seized the vehicle in connection with Crime No.33/08 of the Neyyattinkara Excise Range. Ext.P1 is the Ocurrence report. Petitioner contends that though the seizure has been effected as early as on 23/4/2008, so far the 2nd respondent has not finalised the proceedings under Section 67(B) of the Abkari Act. According to the petitioner, though several representations have been made by him seeking expeditious completion of the proceedings, the matter remains without final orders even as of now. It is in this background, the writ petition has been filed. 2. Since the seizure in question was more than a year ago, the 2nd respondent ought to have finalised the proceedings without delay in this matter. It need not be stated that if the vehicle is exposed to sun and rain as in the usual case, that will cause damages to the vehicle, which will be of benefit to none. In these circumstances, I feel further delay in the finalisation of the proceedings has to be avoided. WPC 21212/08 :2 : 3. Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of directing the 2nd respondent to pass final orders in pursuance to the proceedings under Section 67(B) of the Abkari Act initiated against the scooter bearing Regn.No.KL 01 Y 3119. Such orders shall be passed with notice to the petitioner and as expeditiously as possible, at any rate within 4 weeks of production of a copy of this judgment. Petitioner shall produce a copy of this judgment before the 2nd respondent for compliance. ANTONY DOMINIC, JUDGE Rp