says Madras High Court: Allocate dedicated space to park seized vehicles

Madurai: Taking serious note of the incident of a seized tractor going missing from the custody of revenue officials in Thoothukudi district, the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court recently asked the state home department to allot a dedicated tractor to all district administrations. Instructed to issue necessary instructions. Space to park all impounded vehicles. The court also asked for necessary security measures like CCTV and guards to ensure security in the premises.

Hearing a plea filed by a man seeking release of his vehicle, Justice B Pugalendhi said, “It is a matter of shame for the district administration that a vehicle, which was seized and in the custody of the department Was there, is missing. ” He also said that as of today neither the police nor the revenue department has any mechanism to protect the vehicles.

He said that the seized vehicles are produced in the court and the court returns the vehicles to police custody due to lack of space.

Taking suo motu cognizance, the judge made the State Home Secretary a party and issued directions. According to the order, the petitioner’s vehicle was seized by the Assistant Director of Geology and Mining Wing at Thoothukudi in February 2013 on the allegation that raw stones were being transported without a valid permit.

Although the petitioner claimed to be the owner of the vehicle, documents were not provided to prove his ownership. Moreover, the petitioner approached the court more than six months after the incident, the judge pointed out.

Recognizing that the petitioner did not approach the court with clean hands, the judge dismissed the plea, but said the issue cannot be sidelined and the conduct of the officers must be viewed seriously.