THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE C.V.NAGARJUNA REDDY WRIT PETITION NO. 12925 OF 2010 Dated 9th June, 2010 Between: Balla Lakshmi …Petitioner And The Assistant Director of Mines and Geology and another …Respondents Counsel for the petitioner : Sri N.Sanyasi Rao Counsel for respondent No.1: AGP for Mines and Geology The Court made the following ORDER: This writ petition is filed for a Mandamus to declare the action of the respondents, in seizing the vehicle bearing No.AP 31 U 7137, as illegal and arbitrary. I have heard Sri N.Sanyasi Rao, learned Counsel for the petitioner, and the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Mines and Geology representing respondent No.1. The abovementioned lorry belonging to the petitioner was seized by respondent No.1 and handed over to respondent No.2 on the ground that on 04-06-2010, it was found transporting minerals without transit form/transit pass issued by the Mines and Geology Department. A perusal of letter, dated 04-06-2010, addressed by respondent No.1 to respondent No.2, a copy of which is filed, shows that while requesting respondent No.2 to keep the seized vehicle in his custody, respondent No.1 instructed him to release the same to the owner only on his producing the official receipt evincing payment of penalty. In his affidavit, the petitioner submitted that under Rule 9-X (b) of the Andhra Pradesh Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1966, the penalty of Rs.10,000/- is liable to be paid, if the vehicle is found transporting mineral without transit way bill. At the hearing, the learned Counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is prepared to pay the penalty amount of Rs.10,000/- . In view of the same, the Writ Petition is disposed of with the direction to the respondents to release the lorry bearing No.AP 31 U 7137 to the petitioner subject to his producing official receipt showing payment of the penalty amount along with the ownership documents. As a sequel to disposal of main petition, WPMP No.16280 of 2010 filed by the petitioner for interim relief is disposed of as infructuous. C.V.NAGARJUNA REDDY, J Dated 9th June, 2010 vrn