IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SIRI JAGAN MONDAY, THE 28TH JULY 2008 / 6TH SRAVANA 1930 WP(C).No. 21910 of 2008(G) -------------------------- PETITIONER: ------------ FIROS BABU, S/O.MUHAMMED NAJEEB, ERANHIKKAL HOUSE, MAMPADK, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT. BY ADV. SRI.BABU S. NAIR RESPONDENTS: ------------- 1. THE MAMPAD GRAMA PANCHAYATH, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, MAMPAD, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT. 2. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, MALAPPURAM. 3. THE TAHSILDAR, TALUK OFFICE, NILAMBUR, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT. BY GOVT. PLEADER SRI. I.V. PRAMOD. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 28/07/2008, A/W. W.P.C.NOS. 21911 & 21919/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: S. Siri Jagan, J. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= W. P (C) Nos. 21910, 21911 & 21919 of 2008 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Dated this, the 28th July, 2008. J U D G M E N T In these writ petitions, the vehicles belonging to the petitioners have been seized on allegations of illegal transport of river sand. They seek release of the vehicles. According to them, they have not been involved in any illegal transport of river sand and therefore the seizure itself is without any jurisdiction whatsoever. 2. I have heard the learned Government Pleader also. 3. I am of opinion that when vehicles are seized, the concerned District Collector has a duty to pass final orders in the matter within the time stipulated in the Kerala Protection of River Banks and Regulation of Removal of Sand Act, 2001. In the above circumstances, these writ petitions are disposed of with a direction to the concerned District Collector to pass final orders in the matter 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 petitioners. The petitioners shall personally serve a certified copy of this judgment on the concerned District Collector, who shall, on that date, fix a date for hearing. In any case, the order shall be passed within seven days. Sd/- S. Siri Jagan, Judge. Tds/ [True copy] P.S to Judge.