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2025 Supreme(Online)(Ker) 67673
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
C. JAYACHANDRAN, J
VENUGOPALAN K.P. – Appellant
Versus
THE REVENUE DIVISIONAL OFFICER KANJANHAD – Respondent
WP(C) NO. 37130 OF 2025
For the Appellants/Petitioners: SHRI.IRFAN ZIRAJ
For the Respondents: SRI.AJITH VISWANATHAN, GP
The court emphasized the importance of procedural compliance for compounding offenses related to vehicle seizure under mining regulations.
Headnote:The Kerala Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2015 and the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 were invoked following the seizure of the petitioner's vehicle. The petitioner expressed willingness to compound the offense, seeking direction from the Court for procedural compliance regarding notification of the seizure. The main issue was whether the seizure of the vehicle was properly reported as per the law for the compounding of the offence to be facilitated. The Court directed the first respondent to notify the third respondent about the seizure promptly to allow the petitioner's request to be considered lawfully. The final outcome was the disposal of the writ petition with a directive for immediate compliance regarding reporting the seizure.
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. vehicle seizure due to alleged regulatory violation. (Para 1) |
| 2. court directed notification of seizure for processing compounding. (Para 2) |
JUDGMENT
The petitioner’s vehicle was seized by the 1st respondent alleging violation of offences punishable under the Kerala Minor Mineral Concession Rules , 2015 and Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act , 1957. The petitioner is prepared to compound the offence, which will enable the petitioner to get the vehicle released on payment of compounding fee. However, the 3rd respondent is not permitting compounding, on the premise that, the seizure has not been reported to him. The learned counsel would seek a direction to the 1st respondent to report the seizure before the 3rd respondent, so as to enable the petitioner to compound the offence.
2. Having heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader, this Court directs the 1st respondent to report seizure to the 3rd respondent, if not done already, expeditiously, at any rate, within a period of three days from today. Learned Government Pleader will inform the gist of the judgment to the 1st respondent today itself. Upon such reporting, the 3rd respondent will consider, the petitioner’s request for compounding, in accordance with law.
This Writ Petition is disposed of as above.
