JUDGMENT

The above Writ Petition (C) is filed with the following prayers:

"1. Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction directing the Adoor Police to release the excavator bearing Registration No. KL-36-B-4522 to the petitioner, as the continued retention of the vehicle after forwarding reports to the Revenue Divisional Officer and the District Collector is illegal and without authority of law;

2. Declare that the continued detention of the petitioner’s excavator by the police, despite the admitted forwarding of reports to the competent revenue authorities under the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008 , is arbitrary, unreasonable, and violative of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India;

3. Issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to forthwith consider and complete any proceedings, if at all contemplated, under the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008 , within a time frame to be fixed by this Hon’ble Court, without keeping the petitioner’s vehicle in prolonged custody;

4. Grant such other and further reliefs as this Hon’ble Court may deem fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the ca