Heard both sides.

2. By consent, the main Writ petition itself is taken up for final disposal.

3. No counter is filed on behalf of the Respondents.

4. According to the petitioner, he is the owner of the lorry bearing registration No. TN-76-J-8892 and the said lorry was engaged by Sri Maruthi Lorry Booking Office, Piranoor, Tirunelveli District to load sea shell grit from an authorised merchant for salt, dry fish and sea shell grit viz., Sri Mahalakshmi Traders, Thoothukudi. On 22.06.2016, at about 05.00 pm, when the petitioner was loading sea shell grit from Sri Mahalakshmi Traders at Keela Arasaradi, Ottapidaram Taluk, the 4th Respondent seized his vehicle by saying that his lorry was utilized to load shell grit without any valid permit.

4. In fact, the seizure was reported before the Third Respondent/Tahsildar, Ottapidaram Taluk, Thoothukudi District by the Fourth Respondent/Inspector of Police, Thalamuthu Nagar Police Station, Thoothukudi District. In the meanwhile, on 15.06.2016, on behalf of the owner of the said Sri Mahalakshmi Traders, a representation was made before the Third respondent/Tahsildar, Ottapidaram Taluk, Thoothukudi District, mentioning that there is a vali