JUDGMENT

(Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the first respondent to entrust the interim custody of the petitioner''s vehicle by branding name TATA ACE bearing Registration No. TN-59-AE-0938 seized in connection FIR No.2 of 2023 on the file of the second respondent Police.)

1. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the first respondent and the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the second respondent.

2. The petition mentioned vehicle was seized in connection with Crime No.2 of 2023 registered on the file of the second respondent.

3. The petition mentioned vehicle is presently in the custody of the first respondent. The vehicle is said to have been used for illegally transporting PDS rice.

4. It is of course open to the respondent authority to initiate confiscation proceedings. In this case, we are concerned only with the issue of granting interim custody of the vehicle to the petitioner.

5. No purpose will be served in keeping the vehicle under the custody of the respondents. The Hon''ble Supreme Court in th