IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE THOTTATHIL B.RADHAKRISHNAN FRIDAY, THE 29TH MAY 2009 / 8TH JYAISHTA 1931 WP(C).No. 14864 of 2009() ------------------------- PETITIONER(S): --------------- P.K.RAJAN, S/O. P.K.KUTTAPPAN, KOIKKAPATHOOR HOUSE, THUKALASSERY,THIRUVALLA. BY ADV. SRI.S.SUBHASH CHAND SMT.M.P.MARY RESPONDENT(S): --------------- 1. DEPUTY EXCISE COMMISSIONER, OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY EXCISE COMMISSIONER, PATHANAMTHITTA. 2. EXCISE INSPECTOR, EXCISE RANGE OFFICER, THIRUVALLA. BY GP SMT K R DEEPA THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 29/05/2009, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: THOTTATHIL B RADHAKRISHNAN, J ........................................... WP(C).NO. 14864 OF 2009 ............................................ DATED THIS THE 29th DAY OF MAY, 2009 JUDGMENT The petitioner is the registered owner of a commercial vehicle which was intercepted by the Abkari Officers who have detected commission of abkari offences in relation to certain materials transported in that vehicle. The officers have alleged transport of illegal liquor and they initiated proceedings for confiscation of the vehicle. The petitioner has filed objections to such proceedings. Under such circumstances, the petitioner is entitled to apply to the competent authority for interim custody of the vehicle pending finalisation of the confiscation proceedings. Hence it is ordered that if the petitioner furnishes bank guarantee for the value of the vehicle in question as may be determined by the competent authority, the competent among the respondents will release the said vehicle, on due application, provisionally and subject to orders that may be passed on conclusion of confiscation proceedings. Let this be done within a period of three days from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. THOTTATHIL B RADHAKRISHNAN, JUDGE lgk/30/5