JUDGMENT :

(Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to entrust the interim custody of the petitioner's vehicle by branding name Mahindra Bolero Pick Up, bearing registration No.TN 49 BU 0272, seized in connection FIR No.197 of 2023 on the file of the 2nd 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 (Crl. Side) appearing for the second respondent.

2. The petition mentioned vehicle was seized in connection with Crime No.197 of 2023 registered on the file of the second respondent.

3. The petition mentioned vehicle is presently in the custody of the second 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'bl