The petitioner's vehicle, bearing registration No.KL-47-C-2964 has been seized alleging violation of the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. He has filed Ext.P1 application for compounding the offence under Rule 60A (1) of the Kerala Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1967 before the respondent.
2. There is no material before this Court to find out whether the vehicle was involved in transporting red earth or ordinary earth. If the respondent has seized the vehicle for transporting red earth or ordinary earth without obtaining necessary permit, he shall permit the petitioner to compound the offence on payment of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees twenty-five thousand only). There shall be a further direction to the respondent to release the vehicle to the petitioner, on payment as above. Needless to say, once the offence is compounded, no prosecution proceedings shall be initiated against the petitioner in respect of the incident which led to the instant writ petition. If a report has already been lodged in the competent W.P.(C).No.12634/2014 -:2:-
criminal court, a further report to the effect that the offence has been compounded shall also be filed. The writ petition is disposed of as above.
Sd/-
A.MUHAMED MUSTAQUE, JUDGE ms