IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR.J.CHELAMESWAR & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.N.RAVINDRAN MONDAY, THE 28TH JUNE 2010 / 7TH ASHADHA 1932 WA.No. 1081 of 2010 --------------------- AGAINST THE JUDGEMENT IN WPC.15307/2010 Dated 19/05/2010 .................... APPELLANT/PETITIONER: -------------------------- VARGHESE, S/O.THOMAS, AGED 54 YEARS, THOTTATTIL HOUSE, KOTTAT P.O., WEST CHALAKUDY, THRISSUR. BY ADV. SRI.V.M.KRISHNAKUMAR RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS: ---------------------------------- 1. DISTRICT COLLECTOR, THRISSUR. 2. REVENUE DIVISIONAL OFFICER, THRISSUR. 3. VILLAGE OFFICER, WEST CHALAKUDY VILLAGE, THRISSUR DISTRICT. 4. STATE OF KERALA REP.BY SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY SENIOR GOVT. PLEADER, SRI.BENNY GERVASIS. THIS WRIT APPEAL HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 28/06/2010, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: J.Chelameswar, CJ. & P.N.Ravindran, J. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - W.A.No. 1081 OF 2010 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dated this the 28th day of June, 2010 JUDGMENT J.Chelameswar, CJ. Aggrieved by the judgment dated 19.05.2010 the unsuccessful petitioner preferred the instant writ appeal. By the said judgment the writ petition filed by the appellant herein challenging an order of 'seizure' passed under Section 20 of the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, was dismissed by the learned Single Judge saying that it is an appealable order under Section 21 of the Act. Section 20 of the Act provides for confiscation of vehicles seized under Section 19. Such an order of confiscation is passed in the instant case by the District Collector which was the subject matter of the challenge in the writ petition. Section 21 categorically provides for an appellate remedy and it reads as follows: “21. Appeal against Confiscation:- Any person aggrieved by an order of confiscation under Section 20 may within thirty days from the date of communication to WA No. 1081 of 2010 -:2:- him of such order, appeal to the District Court having jurisdiction over the area in which the articles were seized and the District Judge shall, after giving the parties a reasonable opportunity of being heard issue such order either confirming, amending or annulling the order appealed against.” In the circumstances we do not see any reason to interfere with the order under challenge and the Writ Appeal is dismissed. J.Chelameswar, Chief Justice. P.N.Ravindran, Judge. ttb