IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD (Special Original Jurisdiction) FRIDAY, THE FOURTH DAY OF APRIL TWO THOUSAND AND EIGHT PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE NOOTY RAMAMOHANA RAO WRIT PETITION NO : 7369 of 2008 Between: P.V.Ramachandra Reddy, S/o. Rosi Reddy, Resident of Annaiahgari Palle Village, Vemula Mandal, Kadapa District. ..... PETITIONER AND 1. The Divisional Forest Officer (WL), Markapur, Prakasam District. 2. The Forest Range Officer, Y.Palem Range, Markapur(WL) Division, Markapur,Prakasam District. .....RESPONDENTS Petition under Article 226 of the constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the Affidavit filed herein the High Court will be pleased to issue a Writ, order or direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus, holding that the action of the respondents in not releasing the Tractor and trally (SONLIKA) bearing Nos.A.P.04 H 9613/9614 as illegal and arbitrary and consequently direct the respondents to release the Tractor and Trally (SONALIKA) bearing Nos. A.P. 04 H 9613/9614 forthwith. Counsel for the Petitioner:MR.D.KODANDARAMI REDDY Counsel for the Respondent No.: GP FOR FORESTS The Court made the following : THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NOOTY RAMAMOHANA RAO W.P.NO.7369 OF 2008 ORAL ORDER: This writ petition has been filed seeking a writ of mandamus to declare the action of the respondents in not releasing the Tractor and Trailer bearing registration number – AP 04 H 9613 and 9614, as illegal. Heard the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Forests. It is represented that since the aforementioned vehicle is involved in a forest offence, the same has been seized. The petitioner asserts that an application has been moved before the 1st respondent on 27-12-2007, who is the competent authority to consider the same for entrustment of temporary custody of the vehicle. Since the writ petitioner has asserted that he is the owner of the Tractor and Trailer, which has been provided on hire to the individuals and that he is not having any knowledge about the actual commission of the offence by such individuals and also since the writ petitioner has not played any direct role in the commission of the offence itself, the application moved by him may be considered and disposed of on its merits, within fifteen days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, by making suitable and necessary arrangements for temporary custody of the vehicle in question pending further enquiry into the matter. With this, the writ petition stands disposed of at the stage of admission. -------------------------------- Nooty Ramamohana Rao, J mrk 4th April 2008 ..... REGISTRAR // TRUE COPY // SECTION OFFICER To 1.2CCs to 2.2CD copies Form-NIC-OGS/WP{LS}