JAISON K.K Vs. DISTRICT GEOLOGIST AND ORS.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner has approached this Court aggrieved by a seizure of his vehicle bearing Registration No.KL-40 B-8817. It is the case of the petitioner that the vehicle was seized by the 2nd respondent and the mahazar prepared indicates that the vehicle was seized in connection with an alleged offence under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and the Kerala Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2015. While the petitioner disputes the allegations against him, it is his case that pursuant to the seizure, a report has not been forwarded before the statutory authority competent to initiate prosecution or compound the offence, and hence there is an undue delay in obtaining the release of the vehicle.

(2.) I have heard the learned counsel for the petitioner as also the learned Government Pleader for the respondents. On a consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case as also the submissions made across the bar, I dispose the writ petition with the following directions: