IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SIRI JAGAN TUESDAY, THE 5TH AUGUST 2008 / 14TH SRAVANA 1930 WP(C).No. 23443 of 2008(N) -------------------------- PETITIONER: PETITIONER ---------------------- JOSTIN JOSE, AGED 32 YEARS S/O. JOSE, 267/5, MANGALATH HOUSE, MIDAYIKUNNAM P.O., THALAYOLAPARAMBU, NOW RESIDING AT MARANGOLIL HOUSE EDAVATTOM P.O., PIN 686 605. BY ADV. SRI.GEORGE VARGHESE (MANACHIRACKEL) RESPONDENTS: RESPONDENTS ------------------------ 1. SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE UDYAMPEROOR. 2. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, ERNAKULAM. BY GOVT. PLEADER I.V. PRAMOD. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 05/08/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: S. Siri Jagan, J. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= W. P (C) No. 23443 of 2008 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Dated this, the 5th August, 2008. J U D G M E N T Petitioner's vehicle was seized on allegations of illegal transport of river sand. The petitioner seeks interim custody of the vehicle for which he has filed Ext. P7 application. According to the petitioner, the petitioner was only transporting ordinary sand and not river sand and therefore the vehicle and the sand were not liable to be seized under the Kerala Protection of River Banks and Regulation of Removal of Sand Act, 2001. Whatever be the contentions of the petitioner, I do not think that I can now pass orders as required by the petitioner in so far as the matter is pending consideration of the District Collector. However, as per the Act and Rules, the District Collector is expected to pass final orders in the matter expeditiously. Therefore, I dispose of this writ petition with the following directions: The 2nd respondent shall pass final orders pursuant to the seizure complained of in this writ petition as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within seven days from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment, after affording an opportunity of being heard to the petitioner. The petitioner shall personally serve a certified copy of this judgment to the 2nd respondent who shall hear the petitioner either on that day or on a date assigned for hearing within the said period of seven days. The 2nd respondent shall pass final orders also within the period of seven days. Issue photo copy urgently. Sd/- S. Siri Jagan, Judge. Tds/ [True copy] P.S to Judge.