WP(C) 4801/2008 BEFORE THE HON’BLE MR JUSTICE B.P.KATAKEY Petitioner by the present writ petition has prayed for a direction to th e respondent authority to release his vehicle bearing registration No.AS-18/A-13 67(truck) which has been seized by the forest authority under the provisions of the Assam Forest Regulation 1891 on the alleged commission of a forest offence. I have heard Mr M. Sarma, learned counsel for the petitioner as well as Mr J. Handique, learned state counsel appearing on behalf of the respondents. It is not in dispute that pursuant to the seizure of his vehicle by the forest official on 14.10.08, a confiscation proceeding has been initiated, for w hich the forest authority has issued the notice dated 22.10.08(Annexure-V to the writ petition), which has been replied by the petitioner as well as by the driv er of the vehicle on 14.10.08. According to the learned counsel for the petitioner, a further stand has also been taken in such confiscation proceeding to the effect that neither the petitioner nor the driver of the vehicle had any knowledge or connivance or abat ement of his servant or his agent relating to such alleged offence and all reaso nable and due precautions had been taken against the use of the vehicle for such an offence. The petitioner’s further contention is that such confiscation proce eding has not been finalized by the authority till date. The forest authority having initiated the confiscation proceeding, is re quired to finalize the same within a reasonable period of time. Since the notice of the confiscation has been issued by the authority on 22.10.08 and almost thr ee months have elapsed from the date of issuance of such notice, the forest auth ority is directed to dispose of such proceeding, as expeditiously as possible an d in any case by 31st of March, 2009, after giving the petitioner reasonable opp ortunity to substantiate the plea taken in his reply. The confiscation proceedin g having been initiated, I am not inclined to pass an order directing release of the vehicle till such proceeding is over. The writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the respondent No.2 namely the Divisional Forest Officer, Chirang Division, Kokrajhar to dispose of the confiscation proceeding by 31.3.2009 and while doing so, opportunity shall be given to the petitioner to substantiate his plea taken in his reply. No costs . A copy of this order be furnished to the learned state counsel.