IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA CWJC No.7082 of 2002 M/S RANJAN SAW MILL Versus THE STATE OF BIHAR & ORS ----------- 4. 18.4.2009 Heard counsel for the parties. This Court would fail to understand as to under what authority of law the Divisional Forest Officer, Banka even after holding that the petitioner had not violated any provisions of the Forest Act had gone to retain the timber to the tune of 30.14 c.ft. belonging to the petitioner. The concern shown by the Divisional Forest Officer for collecting Sales Tax is commendable but that cannot be a justification for exercising power for confiscation under the Forest Act. This Court would find such exercise of the authority to be wholly without jurisdiction. That being so, the impugned order is hereby quashed and the order of release already passed in favour of the petitioner, which was subject to security, stands discharged. (Mihir Kumar Jha,J.) Surendra/