IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.R.RAMACHANDRA MENON WEDNESDAY, THE 16TH MARCH 2011 / 25TH PHALGUNA 1932 WP(C).No. 8206 of 2011(A) -------------------------------- PETITIONER: ------------------ 1. C.RAVEENDRAN, S/O.GOVINDAN, AGED 50 YEARS, CHIRAKKAL HOUSE, PULLASSERY P.O., PATTAMBI, PALAKKAD. 2. SURESH BABU, S/O.VISWANATHAN, MAYILADY HOUSE, ELAD P.O., PERINTHALMANNA, MALAPPURAM. BY ADV. SRI.JACOB SEBASTIAN RESPONDENTS: ---------------------- 1. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, PALAKKAD-678001. 2. THE REVENUE DIVISIONAL OFFICER, OTTAPALAM-679101. 3. THE ADDITIONAL TAHSILDAR, OTTAPALAM-679101. 4. THE VILLAGE OFFICER, KOPPAM, PATTAMBI, PALAKKAD DISTRICT. 5. THE SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE, PATTAMBI POLICE STATION, PATTAMBI, PALAKKAD DISTRICT-679023. R1 TO R5 BY GOVT. PLEADER SRI. BENNY VARGHEESE THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 16/03/2011, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: P.R.RAMACHANDRA MENON, J -------------------------------------- W.P.(C) No.8206 OF 2011 -------------------------------- Dated this the 16th day of March 2011 JUDGMENT The grievance of the petitioner is with regard to the seizure of the vehicles bearing Nos.KL 52B 5647 and KL 53B 8155 covered by Exts.P1 and P2, which hence is sought to be intercepted, simultaneously seeing to quash Ext.P3 seizure report/mahazar. 2. Heard the learned Govt. Pleader as well. 3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the authority who seized the vehicles is not having any power, competence or jurisdiction under the statute to seize the vehicles and that a complaint has been preferred by the petitioner before the first respondent. Pursuant to the said complaint, the matter was already been inquired into, based on which Ext.P5 report has been filed by the Additional Tahsildar suggesting that the property involved is rather a 'dry land'. It is without any regard to Ext.P5 report, that the first respondent has sought for a report from the Motor Vehicles department as to the market value of the vehicle; which is allegedly to harass the petitioner ordering confiscation and further steps. 4. Considering the facts and circumstances, this Court directs the first respondent to consider the matter and finalise the proceedings in accordance with law, after giving an opportunity for hearing to the petitioner, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate within 'four weeks' from the date of receipt W.P.(C) No. 8206/2011 - 2 - of a copy of this judgment, on condition that the petitioner produces a copy of this judgment along with a copy of the Writ Petition before the first respondent for taking further steps. Writ Petition is disposed of. vdv P.R.RAMACHANDRA MENON, JUDGE