THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE R.SUBHASH REDDY WRIT PETITION No.2824 of 2011 ORDER: This writ petition is filed questioning the action of the respondents in seizing Tractor and Trailer bearing Nos.AP31 AR 6274 and AP31 Y 6731 respectively, belonging to the petitioner. When the matter is taken up on 11.02.2011, it was adjourned to enable the learned Government Pleader for Mines and Geology to get instructions whether seizure was reported before any Magistrate or not. Today, when the matter is taken up, it is submitted by the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Mines and Geology that even by this time, the seizure was not reported before any Magistrate and the Tractor and Trailer in question are in the custody of the respondents. Unauthorized removal of mineral is nothing short of theft of valuable mineral of the State but it is not known why criminal cases are not being registered by reporting the matter relating to seizure of the vehicle in question to the Magistrate. It is submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioner that in similar circumstances, this Court disposed of W.P.No.31223 of 2010 on 10.12.2010, directing the respondent authorities to release the seized vehicle subject to the petitioner therein producing the receipt showing payment of penalty amount along with ownership documents. A copy of the said order is placed on record. Learned counsel for the petitioner prays for disposal of this writ petition also with the same directions, for which, the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Mines and Geology appearing for the respondents reported no objection. In view of the above, the writ petition is disposed of with the direction to the respondents to release the Tractor and Trailer bearing Nos. AP31 AR 6274 and AP31 Y 6731 respectively, to the petitioner subject to his producing the official receipt showing payment of penalty amount as contemplated under the Andhra Pradesh Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1966, framed under the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957, along with the ownership documents. No order as to costs. ______________________ R.SUBHASH REDDY, J 14th FEBRUARY, 2011. Note: issue c.c. by tomorrow. kvni