IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SIRI JAGAN WEDNESDAY, THE 30TH JULY 2008 / 8TH SRAVANA 1930 WP(C).No. 23035 of 2008(P) -------------------------- PETITIONER: ---------------- K.PURUSHOTHAMAN, S/O VELU, KALANGADAN HOUSE, CHEROOR, VENGARA, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT. BY ADV. SRI.BABU S. NAIR RESPONDENTS: ------------- 1. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR,MALAPPURAM. 2. THE SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE, VENGAR POLICE STATON, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT. BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI. I.V. PRAMOD. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 30/07/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: S. SIRI JAGAN, J. ------------------------------------ W.P.(C)No.23035 OF 2008 ---------------------------------------- Dated this the 30th day of July, 2008 JUDGMENT The petitioner's vehicle has been seized on allegations of transport of river sand illegally. The petitioner submits that the petitioner's vehicle was accompanied by appropriate documents and therefore, the seizure itself is illegal. Therefore the petitioner seeks release of the vehicle. 2. I am of opinion that, that is a matter, which the 1 st respondent has to consider while passing final orders in the matter. However, after having seized the vehicle, the 1 st respondent cannot delay passing of final orders as required under the Kerala Protection of River Banks and Regulation of Removal of Sand Act and Rules. In the above circumstances, this writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the 1 st respondent to pass final orders in the matter, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within a period of seven days from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment, W.P.(c) No.23035/08 2 after affording an opportunity of being heard to the petitioner. The petitioner shall produce a certified copy of this judgment before the 1 st respondent, in person, on which date the District Collector shall either hear the petitioner or assign a date for hearing within seven days. After hearing the petitioner, final orders shall be passed within the aforesaid seven days. S. SIRI JAGAN, JUDGE Acd W.P.(c) No.23035/08 3