Petitioner’s vehicle is seized on the alleged violation of the provisions of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act. According to the petitioner, his vehicle was not involved in any such violation at all.
2. Whatever that may be, if there is a dispute regarding the same and if the petitioner does not intend to compound the same, the only option available to the respondent is to produce the vehicle before the learned Magistrate having jurisdiction in the area and it is for the learned Magistrate to take a final decision with respect to the release of the vehicle.
Under these circumstances, this writ petition is disposed of as under:
i) The respondent shall produce the vehicle belonging to the petitioner before the Magistrate Court W.P.C.No.14086/2014 2 having jurisdiction in the matter and it shall be open for the petitioner to approach the learned Magistrate seeking appropriate relief.
ii) However, if the petitioner wants to compound the aforesaid offence, it shall be open for him to pay an amount of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees twenty five thousand only) as compounding fee with the requisite application before the respondent and in that event, the respondent shall accept the compounding fee and release the vehicle forthwith.
(sd/-) (A.M.SHAFFIQUE, JUDGE) jsr