IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SIRI JAGAN FRIDAY, THE 19TH DECEMBER 2008 / 28TH AGRAHAYANA 1930 WP(C).No. 37718 of 2008(M) -------------------------------------- PETITIONER(S): ----------------------- JOMON ABRAHAM, S/O.KORA ABRAHAM,AGED 31 YEARS, BUSINESS, CHEROLICKAL HOUSE, PADINJATTINKARA, PULIYANNOOR DESOM, MEENACHIL TALUK, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT (OWNER OF MINI LORRY BEARING REGISTRATION NO.KL-5-S-2464) BY ADV. SRI.P.M.ZIRAJ RESPONDENT(S): ------------------------- 1. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, KOTTAYAM. 2. THE TAHSILDAR, MEENACHIL TALUK, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT. 3. THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, KIDANGOOR POLICE STATION, KOTTAYAM. 4. THE DISTRICT GEOLOGIST, KOTTAYAM. BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT. N. SUDHA DEVI. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 19/12/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: S.SIRI JAGAN, J - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - W.P(C)No. 37718 of 2008 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dated this the 19th day of December, 2008. J U D G M E N T The petitioner is aggrieved by the seizure of his vehicle on allegation of illegal transaction of river sand. The petitioner seeks interim custody of the vehicle pending further proceedings in the matter. I am not inclined to grant the prayer at the present stage. However, having seized the vehicle the 1st respondent has a duty to pass final orders in the matter as provided under the Kerala Protection of River Banks and Regulation of Sand Mining Act and Rules. 2. In the above circumstances, this writ petition is disposed of with the following directions: The 1st respondent shall pass final orders in the matter, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within seven days from date of receipt of a certified copy of this judgment, after affording an opportunity of being heard to the petitioner. The petitioner shall personally produce the certified copy of this judgment before the 1st respondent who shall hear the petitioner on that day or on any adjourned date within seven days and pass final orders also within the said period. S.SIRI JAGAN, JUDGE rhs