The petitioner's vehicle bearing No.KL-10-AA-3613 has been seized alleging violation of the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. Petitioner seeks to compound the offence under Rule 60A (1) of the Kerala Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1967 before the respondents.
2. There shall be a direction to the competent among respondents to 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 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 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.
A.MUHAMED MUSTAQUE, JUDGE jjj