JUDGMENT

The petitioners have approached this Court aggrieved by the seizure of their vehicle - a JCB, bearing Registration No.KL-01-AK- 2467. It is the case of the petitioners that the vehicle was seized by the 4th respondent and the mahazar prepared indicates that it was seized in connection with an alleged offence under the Kerala Conservation of Paddy and Wet Lands Act, 2008 (hereinafter referred to as the '2008 Act'). While the petitioners dispute the allegations against them, it is their case that pursuant to the seizure, a report has not been forwarded before the statutory authority competent to initiate prosecution, and hence, there is an undue delay in obtaining the release of the vehicles.

2. I have heard the learned counsel for the petitioners as also the learned Government Pleader for the respondents.

On a consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case as also the submissions made across the bar, I dispose the writ petition with the following directions:

(i) The 4th respondent shall forthwith and at any rate within three days from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment, forward a report regarding the seizure to the 1st respondent.

(ii) On receipt of the r