Compliance with reporting requirements is essential for compounding alleged offences under mineral laws.

JUDGMENT

Petitioner's vehicle was seized by the 1^st respondent/Inspector of Police, alleging violation of the Kerala Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2015 , and the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 ('M.M.D.R.' Act, for short). Petitioner wants to compound the alleged offences, for which the solitary obstacle is the fact that the seizure has not been reported to the 2^nd respondent/District Geologist by the 1^st respondent/Inspector of Police.

2. Having heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader on behalf of the respondents, this Court directs the 1^st respondent/Inspector of Police to report the seizure before the 2^nd respondent/District Geologist within a period of three days from today. Once the seizure is reported, the District Geologist will consider petitioner's application for compounding, in terms of Section 23A of the M.M.D.R.

Act, in accordance with law, expeditiously.

The Writ Petition (Civil) will stand disposed of, as above.