IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD (Special Original Jurisdiction) PRESENT: THE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE C.V.NAGARJUNA REDDY THURSDAY, THE EIGHTEENTH DAY OF MARCH, TWO THOUSAND TEN WRIT PETITION No.27949 of 2009 Between: Kotha Ramesh. … Petitioner And The Divisional Forest Officer, Hyderabad Division, Government of A.P., Hyderabad and another. … Respondents Counsel for the petitioner: Sri T.Amarnath Goud. Counsel for the respondents: GP for Forests. This Court made the following: ORDER:- This Writ Petition is filed for a Mandamus to direct the respondents to set aside order, dated 15-12-2009, passed by respondent No.1, whereby he rejected the application of the petitioner for release of vehicle bearing No.AP 03A 5353 (jeep) seized in pursuance of preliminary offence report, dated 8-10-2009, of respondent No.2, as illegal and arbitrary. I have heard Sri T.Amarnath Goud, learned counsel for the petitioner, and the learned Government Pleader for Forests. The above mentioned vehicle was seized by Anti Poaching Squad when the same was used for the purpose of transporting Sand Bioae snake and three tortoises. The petitioner’s application for release of the said vehicle was rejected, pending confiscation proceedings. This Court by order, dated 29-12-2009, directed release of the said vehicle to the petitioner on his furnishing a bank guarantee for a sum of Rs.4,50,000/-. At the hearing, the learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the condition to furnish bank guarantee for a sum of Rs.4,50,000/- is too onerous as the jeep in question does not cost that much. The vehicle was seized on 8-10-2009. Thus, more than five months had elapsed from the date of seizure of the said vehicle. In the facts and circumstances of the case, I am of the view that respondent No.1 shall dispose of the confiscation proceedings expeditiously. Accordingly, respondent No.1 is directed to complete the confiscation proceedings and pass an appropriate order after giving an opportunity of being heard to the petitioner by issuing a show-cause notice to him and holding an enquiry. Respondent No.1 shall complete this entire process within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. As the petitioner filed proof in support of his plea that the seized vehicle is of the year 1992, respondent No.1 is directed to release the same to the petitioner if he furnishes bank guarantee for a sum of Rs.2,50,000/- (Rupees two lakh, fifty thousand only) pending completion of confiscation proceedings. Subject to the above directions, the Writ Petition is disposed of. ------------------------------------ C.V.NAGARJUNA REDDY,J Date:18-3-2010. Note: Issue CC in three days. (BO) MNR