IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SIRI JAGAN WEDNESDAY, THE 19TH MAY 2010 / 29TH VAISAKHA 1932 WP(C).No. 15307 of 2010(K) -------------------------- PETITIONER(S): --------------- VARGHESE,S/O.THOMAS,AGED 54 YEARS, THOTTATIL HOUSE,KOTATT.P.LO,WEST CHALAKKUDY, THRISSUR. BY ADV. SRI.V.M.KRISHNAKUMAR SMT.P.A.ANITHA SMT.P.R.REENA RESPONDENT(S): --------------- 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 REVENUR,SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. GOVT. PLEADER SHRI.P.N.SANTHOSH THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 19/05/2010, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: S.SIRI JAGAN, J. ================== W.P.(C).No. 15307 of 2010 ================== Dated this the 19th day of May, 2010 J U D G M E N T The petitioner challenges Ext.P1 order passed by the District Collector, Thrissur, wherein, after finding that the petitioner has violated the provisions of the Kerala Paddy Land and Wet Land Act, 2008, (“the Act”) instead of taking proceedings to impose penalty on him, vehicles seized were ordered to be released on payment of Rs.15,000/- and Rs.25,000/-. Although the District Collector has stated so in so many words in Ext.P1, it is clear that the same is an order passed under Section 20 of the Act directing payment of the said amounts in lieu of confiscation. Against the orders under Section 20, the petitioner has an effective alternate remedy by way of an appeal before the District Court concerned under Section 21 of the Act. Therefore, I am not inclined to exercise my discretionary jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India at this juncture. Accordingly, without prejudice to the right of the petitioner to challenge Ext.P1 order in an appeal under Section 21 of the Act, this writ petition is dismissed. Sd/- sdk+ S.SIRI JAGAN, JUDGE ///True copy/// P.A. to Judge 2