IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.N.RAVINDRAN FRIDAY, THE 18TH JUNE 2010 / 28TH JYAISTHA 1932 WP(C).No. 19004 of 2010(A) -------------------------- PETITIONER(S): --------------- MUHAMMED NAZEER, MULOLIPARAMBIL HOUSE, ULIYANNOOR P.O. ALUVA. BY ADV. SRI.E.D.GEORGE RESPONDENT(S): --------------- 1. SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE, ALUVA. 2. DISTRICT COLLECTOR, ERNAKULAM. BY SR.GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI.P.N.SANTHOSH THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 18/06/2010, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: P.N.RAVINDRAN, J. ----------------------------------------- W.P(C).No.19004 of 2010 ----------------------------------------- Dated this the 18th day of June, 2010 JUDGMENT The petitioner is the registered owner of a goods vehicle bearing registration No.KL-8-P/5562. The said vehicle was seized by the Sub Inspector of Police, Aluva on 2-2-2010 on the allegation that it was used to transport river sand without a valid pass. A report was thereupon submitted to the District Collector, Ernakulam, who initiated proceedings against the vehicle under the provisions of the Kerala Protection of River Banks and Regulation of Removal of Sand Act, 2001. The petitioner thereupon moved the District Collector seeking interim custody of the vehicle. On that application the District Collector passed Ext.P4 order dated 27-4-2010 directing release of the vehicle by way of interim custody in the event of the petitioner depositing one half of the value of the vehicle which was determined at Rs.1,80,000/-. Ext.P4 is under challenge in this writ petition. 2. The pleadings disclose that the petitioner's vehicle was seized on 2-2-2010 and Ext.P4 order granting interim custody of the vehicle was passed on 27-4-2010. More than four months have passed after the vehicle was seized and nearly two months have passed after interim custody was ordered. In such circumstances I am of the W.P(C).No.19004 of 2010 -:2:- opinion that the District Collector should take a final decision in the matter expeditiously. I accordingly dispose of this writ petition with a direction to the District Collector, Ernakulam to pass final orders in the proceedings initiated by him expeditiously and in any event within one month from the date on which the petitioner produces a certified copy of this judgment before him. The District Collector shall, before passing final orders in the matter, afford the petitioner a reasonable opportunity of being heard. The District Collector shall, after orders are passed in the matter, communicate a copy thereof to the petitioner. P.N.RAVINDRAN, Judge. ahg. P.N.RAVINDRAN, J. --------------------------- W.P(C).No.19004 of 2010 ---------------------------- JUDGMENT 18th June, 2010