ORDER

This writ petition has been filed for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to release the vehicle belonging to the petitioner by considering the representation dated 17.02.2025.

2. Heard Mr.B.Vasanth learned counsel for the petitioner, Mr.R.Murthi, learned Government Advocate for the respondents 1 and 2 and Dr.C.E.Prathap, learned Government Advocate for the third respondent.

3. The case of the respondents is that the vehicle belonging to the petitioner was used to shield another vehicle in which PDS rice was transported illegally. Therefore, in the course of investigation the vehicle belonging to the petitioner was seized in order to initiate confiscation proceedings under the Essential Commodities Act .

4. When the writ petition was taken up for hearing today, the learned counsel for the petitioner relied upon the order passed in W.P.No.5123 of 2025 dated 14.02.2025. That was a writ petition filed by the vehicle owner whose vehicle is alleged to have carried the PDS rice. The writ petition was allowed and a direction was issued to release the vehicle within a period of two weeks.

Pursuant to the above order, the matter was listed under the caption 'For