THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE L.NARASIMHA REDDY WRIT PETITION NO.24764 OF 2009 Dated 4th December, 2009 Between : K.Vijay … Petitioner And The Divisional Forest Officer And another … Respondents The Court made the following ORDER: The petitioner claims to be the owner of tractor bearing No.TN 20 E 2804 and trailor bearing No. TN 20 E 2747. The second respondent seized the tractor and trailor on the ground that they were used for transporting sand from the reserve forest and they were produced before the first respondent. The petitioner challenged the seizure on several grounds. It is urged that the sand cannot be treated as forest produce and there is no basis for the second respondent in seizing it. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Government Pleader for Forests. The record discloses that the second respondent himself offered to compound the offence against the petitioner by levying certain amount. Taking note of the same, this Court passed an interim order, on 16.11.2009, directing that the tractor and trailor be released on deposit of Rs.5,000/-. If the offence is capable of being compounded, necessary steps must be taken. On the other hand, if the proceedings are still pending before the first respondent, they need to be proceeded in accordance with law. Hence, the writ petition is disposed of, leaving it open to the respondents either to compound the offence or to carry the matter further, in accordance with law. There shall be no order as to costs. _______________________ L.NARASIMHA REDDY, J Dated 4th December, 2009 vrn