HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE C.V.RAMULU WRIT PETITION No.2228 of 2003 ORDER: This writ petition is directed against an order dated 03/01/2003 in Crl.R.P.No.56 of 1991 on the file of the Court of learned Additional Sessions Judge, Hindupur. Under the impugned order, the order dated 24/10/1991 in Crl.M.P.No.964 of 1991 passed by the learned Judicial Magistrate of First Class, Penukonda, dismissing the application filed by the petitioner for release of the lorry bearing Registration No.APA 3116 was confirmed. The sole ground on which the criminal revision petition was dismissed is that the learned Judicial Magistrate of First Class is not empowered under sub-sections (3) and (4) of Section 44 of the A.P. Forest Act, and it would be outside his jurisdiction to entertain the application of such nature. There is no necessity of going into all the details. The offence alleged against the petitioner was a compoundable offence. While admitting the writ petition, this Court suspended the impugned order on the condition that the petitioner deposits an amount of Rs.7,500/-. Learned counsel for the petitioner placed before this Court a challan showing deposit of Rs.7,500/- into the treasury. Learned counsel for the respondent states that the petitioner failed to deposit the compounding fee of Rs.7,500/- as fixed by the authorized officer/District Forest Officer, Anantapur, on 17/09/1991. Otherwise, the officer himself could have passed orders discharging the petitioner. In view of the above, the Writ Petition is disposed of directing the respondents to accept the amount deposited towards compounding fee and discharge the petitioner from the crime. No order as to costs. _________________ JUSTICE C.V. RAMULU 01st February, 2010 SKM