IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SIRI JAGAN MONDAY, THE 7TH JUNE 2010 / 17TH JYAISTHA 1932 WP(C).No. 4152 of 2010(T) ------------------------- PETITIONER(S): --------------- A.SURESH, AGED 30 YEARS, S/O.APPUKKUTTAN, PARUTHARA HOUSE, SOORIACODE.P.O, KANYAKUMARI, TAMILNADU. BY ADV. SRI.BLAZE K.JOSE RESPONDENT(S): --------------- 1. DISTRICT COLLECTOR, THRISSUR. 2. SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE, PERUMANGALAM POLICE STATION, THRISSUR. GOVT. PLEADER SRI. K. RAMESH. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 07/06/2010, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: PETITIONER'S EXHIBITS: W.P.C.NO. 4152/2010. ------------------------------------------------------------------- EXT.P1 TRUE COPY OF CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION. EXT.P2 TAX CARD. EXT.P3 INSURANCE COVER NOTE OF VEHICLE. EXT.P4 NATIONAL PERMIT OF VEHICLE. EXT.P5 F.I.R IN CRIME NO. 668/2009. EXT.P6 REPRESENTATION DT. 2-12-2009. EXT.P7 ORDER DT. 12-1-2010. [TRUE COPY] P.S TO JUDGE. S. Siri Jagan, J. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= W.P(C) No. 4152 of 2010 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Dated this, the 7th day of June, 2010. J U D G M E N T The petitioner is challenging Ext. P7 order passed by the 1st respondent. By Ext. P7 order, on a finding that the petitioner's vehicle has been used for illegally transporting river sand in violation of the Kerala Protection of River Banks and Regulation of Removal of Sand Act, 2001, the petitioner has been directed to pay an amount of Rs. 12,50,000/- as the value of the vehicle to the River Management Fund. The petitioner does not dispute the fact that the lorry was used for illegally transporting river sand. The petitioner's contention is that the driver of the vehicle without knowing about the illegality did it on behalf of somebody else. He further submits that the recovery of the amount of Rs. 12,50,000/- is too harsh since the vehicle is being apprehended for the first time. 2. I am of opinion that illegal transportation of river sand, which is increasing day by day, can be curbed only by strict enforcement of law. The Act provides for direction to pay an amount equal to the value of the vehicle to the River Management Fund. The petitioner has no case that the valuation is excessive or inflated. In the above circumstances I do not find any merit in the challenge against Ext. P7. Accordingly, the writ petition is dismissed. Sd/- S. Siri Jagan, Judge. Tds/