SIVA SANKAR Vs. DISTRICT COLLECTOR, THENI DISTRICT, THENI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard the learned counsel on either side. By consent of both parties this writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

(2.) The petitioner's vehicle was seized in connection with illegal transportation of sand. The enquiry in this regard is still pending. The learned counsel for the petitioner affirms before this Court that the petitioner's vehicle was not involved in any previous incident of sand theft or illegal transportation of sand.

(3.) The submission of the learned counsel for the petitioner is placed on record. If this submission turns out to be false, the order now passed by this Court would stand automatically recalled and the petitioner will be visited with serious consequences. I am of the view that no purpose will be served by keeping the vehicle in question in the custody of the respondents. If the vehicle is kept in open space and exposed to sun light and rain, it would lose its value. The learned Counsel for the petitioner submitted that he had purchased the vehicle from one Lakshmanan and he is having the original RC Book. Hence, the petitioner may be considered as the owner of the vehicle, even though his name is yet to be mentioned in the RC Book. Therefore, the respondents are directed to release the said vehicle subject to the following conditions.