WP(C) 3669/2010 BEFORE HON’BLE MR JUSTICE B.P.KATAKEY Heard Mr IH Borbhuiya, learned counsel for the petitioner as well as Mr P. Roy, learned state counsel appearing for the respondents. As agreed by the learned counsel for the parties, the matter is taken fo r disposal at the motion stage itself. The grievance of the petitioner in the present petition is relating to n on-finalization of the confiscation proceeding by the authorized officer under t he provisions of the Assam Forest Regulation 1891 and non-consideration of his a pplication for release of the vehicle bearing registration No.AS-01/P-9997 (Truc k), to which he claims to be the registered owner. It appears that a confiscation proceeding has been initiated by the auth orized officer by issuing the notice dated 26.10.2009. Petitioner, on receipt of such notice, filed the application dated 27.10.2009, detailing the circumstance s under which he lost control over the vehicle, and prayed for release of the ve hicle in his custody. Thereafter, two notices both dated 31.10.2009 were issued by the authorized officer fixing 17.11.2009 for hearing of the said proceeding. According to the petitioner, though he, along with the driver of the vehicle wer e present before the authorized officer, the said proceeding has not been finali zed till date. It is also the grievance of the petitioner that his prayer for re lease of the vehicle in his custody has also not been granted. Mr P. Roy, learned state counsel, on the basis of the instruction, has s ubmitted that the confiscation proceeding initiated vide notice dated 26.10.2009 is still pending. It is also not in dispute that the prayer of the petitioner for release of the v ehicle in his custody has not been considered and disposed of till date. The authorized officer having initiated the confiscation proceeding cann ot sit over the matter for an indefinite period of time. He should decide the sa me within a reasonable period of time, which has not been done. The authorized o fficer, at the same time, has also not passed any order relating to the prayer o f the petitioner for release of the vehicle in his custody till such confiscatio n proceeding is decided, though under Regulation 49A of the 1891 Regulation such power is vested on the authorized officer. In view of the aforesaid position, the present writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the authorized officer namely the respondent no.3 to con sider and dispose of the application filed by the petitioner for release of the vehicle in his custody. Such consideration shall be made within two weeks from t oday. The confiscation proceeding shall be decided within two months. Petitioner shall produce a certified copy of the order passed today before the respondent no.3 for compliance. Writ petition is accordingly disposed of. No costs.