IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE T.R.RAMACHANDRAN NAIR WEDNESDAY, THE 20TH JANUARY 2010 / 30TH POUSHA 1931 WP(C).No. 1921 of 2010(M) ------------------------- PETITIONER(S): --------------- UTHAMAN, AGED 49 YEARS, S/O. GOPALAN, 433, JAMEELA COTTAGE, CHENNOORKARA P.O., PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT. BY ADV. SRI.SAKIR.K.H. RESPONDENT(S): --------------- 1. THE SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE, PANDALAM POLICE STATION. 2. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, PATHANAMTHITTA. 3. THE STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. GOVERNMENT PLEADER, SHRI P.N.SANTHOSH THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 20/01/2010, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: T.R. RAMACHANDRAN NAIR, J. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ W.P.(C). No.1921/2010-M ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dated this the 20th day of January, 2010 J U D G M E N T The petitioner herein is the registered owner and possessor of a Mini Lorry bearing Registration No.KL-07-E- 1713. On 08.01.2010, the first respondent seized the vehicle of the petitioner alleging illegal transportation of illicit sand. It is the case of the petitioner that the said vehicle was being used for carriage of licit sand and the seizure was effected when the driver of the vehicle was returning to the residence after unloading licit sand. 2. The petitioner has sought for a direction to the second respondent for interim custody of the vehicle, as per Ext.P2. Aggrieved by the delay in disposal of the application, this writ petition is filed. 3. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Govt. Pleader. There will be a direction to the second respondent to take a decision on Ext.P2 within a period of seven days from the date of production of a copy of this judgment, in the light of the well settled principles laid down by this Court in various decisions and, on such terms and conditions which he deems fit to impose. The matter will be considered in accordance with law. There will be a further direction to the second W.P.(C). No.1921/2010 -:2:- respondent to pass final orders within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment with notice to the petitioner and after considering the pleas raised by the petitioner, on merits. (T.R. Ramachandran Nair, Judge.) ms