1 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 29.11.2011 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE V.RAMASUBRAMANIAN W.P.(MD)NO.13011 of 2011 and M.P.(MD)No.1 of 2011 A.Selvaraj ... Petitioner Versus 1.The District Forest Officer, Kanyakumari District at Nagercoil. 2.The Forest Range Officer, Boothapandi Range, Aralvoimozhi, Kanyakumari District. ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to release the TATA Sumo bearing Registration No.TN 63 L 6991 seized on 27.09.2011 and hand it over to the petitioner. For Petitioner : Mr.M.Ramadhas For Respondents : Mr.M.Alagathevan Special Government Pleader. O R D E R The petitioner has come up with the above writ petition, seeking a mandamus to direct the respondents to release his TATA Sumo. 2. Heard Mr.M.Ramadhas, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr.M.Alagathevan, Special Government Pleader for respondents. 3. According to the petitioner, his TATA Sumo vehicle bearing Registration No.TN 63 L 6991 was intercepted and seized by the respondents on 27.09.2011. The petitioner thereafter, filed an application under Section 451 Cr.P.C. before the Special Court for Forest Offence Cases, Nagercoil. But the application was returned with an endorsement to the effect that there are no proceedings pending. Therefore, the petitioner has come up with the above writ petition. 4. The counsel for the petitioner today produced a receipt issued by the second respondent for having collected Rs.20,000/- towards compounding fee from the petitioner's driver in relation to a forest Crime No.83 of 2011 on 28.09.2011. The learned Special Government Pleader confirms that a crime number is registered. Though two months have passed, there has been no progress. 5. Therefore, there is no point in keeping the vehicle of the petitioner in the office of the respondents. https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ 2 6. In view of the above, the writ petition is allowed, directing the respondents to release the vehicle of the petitioner, after obtaining necessary bonds from the petitioner. But the order is subject to the ultimate out come of any criminal proceedings initiated against the petitioner. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. No costs. Sd/- Assistant Registrar (AS) / True Copy / Sub Assistant Registrar To 1.The District Forest Officer, Kanyakumari District at Nagercoil. 2.The Forest Range Officer, Boothapandi Range, Aralvoimozhi,Kanyakumari District. Vsm SR : 08.12.2011 : 2p/3c W.P.(MD)NO.13011 of 2011 and MP(MD)No.1 of 2011 29.11.2011 https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/