IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SIRI JAGAN MONDAY, THE 24TH MAY 2010 / 3RD JYAISHTA 1932 WP(C).No. 14905 of 2010(K) -------------------------- PETITIONER(S): --------------- SHAJI.V.S, S/O. SREENIVASAN, VAZHAPPILLY HOUSE, THAIKKAD, GURUVAYUR. BY ADV. SRI.SUNIL JACOB JOSE RESPONDENT(S): --------------- THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, COLLECOTRATE, THRISSUR. GOVT. PLEADER SHRI.P.N.SANTHOSH THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 24/05/2010, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: S.SIRI JAGAN, J. ================== W.P.(C).No.14905 of 2010 ================== Dated this the 24th day of May, 2010 J U D G M E N T The petitioner challenges the conditions in Ext.P1 order for interim custody of the vehicle seized by the Collector under the Kerala Protection of River Banks and Regulation of Removal of Sand Act, 2001 on allegation of illegal transport of river sand using the vehicle. The petitioner's grievance in this writ petition is that there is no proper valuation of the vehicle and instead, an arbitrary amount of Rs.1 lakh has been fixed as the value of the vehicle. When it was pointed out to the counsel for the petitioner that this Court can direct the District Collector to get the vehicle valued by a competent officer, but the petitioner would have to be then content with the valuation so fixed even if it is higher, the counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner may be permitted to pay the amount in two instalments. 2. The learned Government Pleader points out that this would cause further difficulties since then, the petitioner will have to furnish security for the instalment amount as well. 3. Having heard both sides, I dispose of this writ petition with a direction to the respondent to release the vehicle as and when the petitioner complies with the conditions in Ext.P1. However, this would be applicable only if final orders are not passed prior to compliance with the conditions in Ext.P1. Sd/- sdk+ S.SIRI JAGAN, JUDGE ///True copy/// P.A. to Judge 2