IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANTONY DOMINIC WEDNESDAY, THE 21ST JANUARY 2009 / 1ST MAGHA 1930 WP(C).No. 2040 of 2009(P) ---------------------------------- PETITIONER(S): -------------------- E. FIROZ BABU, S/O. MUHAMMED NAJEEB, VARATHICHOLA HOUSE, MAMBAD.P.O, NILAMBUR TALUK, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT. BY ADV. SRI.SUNNY MATHEW RESPONDENT(S): ----------------------- 1. THE SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE, NILAMBUR. 2. THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE, MALAPPURAM. 3. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, MALAPPURAM. 4. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, TRIVANDRUM. GOVT.PLEADER SRI.P.N.SANTHOSH THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 21/01/2009, ALONG WITH WPC NO.2096 OF 2009, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ANTONY DOMINIC, J. ============== W.P.(C) NO. 2040 OF 2009 (P) IN W.P.(C) NO. 2096 OF 2009 (Y) ==================== Dated this the 21st day of January, 2009 J U D G M E N T In these writ petitions, the complaint is regarding the detention of vehicle Nos.KL-11 X 1131 and KL-10 V/5063 under the provisions of the Kerala Anti Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 2007. Petitioners seek release of the vehicles. 2. Considering the identical issues raised in a batch of writ petitions, a learned Judge of this Court disposed of the writ petitions by judgment dated 11th of December 2008, with the following directions. (1) The District Collector shall within one week from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment, send notice to the petitioners in these cases, clearly indicating the grounds, if any, on the basis of which, they propose to hold that the vehicle in question was or is apprehended that it would be used for Anti Social Activities within the meaning of the Act. (2) A minimum of 7 days time must be granted to the petitioners to file objections thereto. WPC 2040 & 2096/09 :2 : (3) The District Collector shall then post these cases before him for a hearing, latest within 10 days from the date on which the objections are received from the owner/possessor and the owner/possessor shall be heard. (4) The proceedings under Section 17(3) shall be passed, latest, within 3 weeks from the date on which such objections are filed. (5) In case, the Collector feels that the confiscation of the vehicle is not necessary or that he is satisfied that the vehicle is unlikely to be used for Anti Social Activities or illegal activities, then it is open to him to pass orders for release of the same. In view of the above, these writ petitions are disposed of directing that the authorities concerned shall take action in terms of the aforesaid directions issued by this court. ANTONY DOMINIC, JUDGE Rp