IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SIRI JAGAN THURSDAY, THE 22ND JULY 2010 / 31ST ASHADHA 1932 WP(C).No. 22864 of 2010(G) -------------------------- PETITIONER(S): --------------- MOIDU @ MOIDEEN, S/O.ASSANAR, 10/386, MUTHUMALA KAVASSERY, VAVULLIYAPURAM PO, THONIPPADAM,ALATHUR TALUK, PALAKKAD-678 543. BY ADV. SRI.M.G.KARTHIKEYAN RESPONDENT(S): --------------- 1. THE FOREST RANGE OFFICER, ALATHUR FOREST RANGE ALATHUR, PALAKKAD DISTRICT-678 541. 2. THE DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER, NENMARA, PALAKKAD DISTRICT-678 508. GOVT. PLEADER SHRI.BENNY VARGHESE THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 22/07/2010, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: S.SIRI JAGAN, J. ================== W.P.(C).No.22864 of 2010 ================== Dated this the 22nd day of July, 2010 J U D G M E N T The petitioner is the registered owner of a vehicle which was seized by the Forest Officials on 24.4.2010 on allegations of commission of a forest offence using that vehicle. The petitioner approached the 2nd respondent for interim custody of the vehicle and by Ext.P1 order, interim custody was granted on condition that the petitioner deposits the value of the vehicle assessed at Rs.1,90,000/- plus taxes. The petitioner could not pay the amount. The petitioner approached this Court by filing W.P.(C). No.18804/2010, in which, by Ext.P4 judgment, it was directed to complete the confiscation proceedings within two months from the date of receipt of a copy of the judgment. Thereafter, the petitioner filed Ext.P3 petition dated 16.7.2010 seeking interim custody of the vehicle stating that the petitioner is prepared to pay the amount of Rs.1,90,000/- and relevant taxes within two weeks. The petitioner, therefore, seeks a direction to the respondents to give interim custody of the vehicle on that condition. 2. I have heard the learned Government Pleader also. 3. In the facts and circumstances of the case, taking a lenient view, I direct the respondents to give interim custody of the vehicle to the petitioner on his depositing the amounts demanded by Ext.P1 order, pending passing of final orders in the confiscation proceedings. Sd/- sdk+ S.SIRI JAGAN, JUDGE ///True copy/// P.A. to Judge 2