THE HON'BLE MS JUSTICE G.ROHINI WRIT PETITION No.30955 of 1997 Dated: 17.01.2008 Between: S. Balaji ..... PETITIONER AND Divisional Forest Officer, Chittoor West Division, Chittoor. .....RESPONDENT THE HON'BLE MS JUSTICE G.ROHINI WRIT PETITION No.30955 of 1997 O R D E R: The petitioner herein is the owner of a car bearing No.ADF 454. The said vehicle was seized by the Forest Range Officer, Chittoor West on 01.12.1993 on the ground that it was being used in committing a forest offence. Subsequently, proceedings were initiated under Section 44 of the Andhra Pradesh Forest Act, 1967 (for short ‘the Act’) for confiscation of the vehicle and after conducting due enquiry, the respondent herein by order, dated 15.12.1994, confiscated the vehicle recording a finding that the vehicle in question was used for illicit transport of sandalwood, which is an offence punishable under the Statutory Rules. Aggrieved by the same, the petitioner preferred C.M.A.No.1 of 1995 before the District Court, Chittoor under Sub-Section (2-E) of Section 44 of the Act. The learned District Judge, on re-appreciation of the entire evidence on record, confirmed the order of confiscation, dated 15.12.1994. Hence, this writ petition seeking a certiorari to call for the records relating to the proceedings of the respondent, dated 15.12.1994, as confirmed on appeal and to quash the same. Having heard the learned counsel for both the parties and having perused the material on record, I do not find any justifiable reason to interfere with the concurrent finding of fact recorded by the respondent that the vehicle in question was used in committing a forest offence. Such finding of fact, which was based on the evidence available on record, warrants no interference by this Court in exercise of the certiorari jurisdiction. However, the learned counsel for the petitioner vehemently contended that no proper opportunity was given to the petitioner to put forth his version against the grounds for confiscation and therefore, the impugned orders being in violation of principles of natural justice are liable to be set aside on that ground alone. On a careful consideration of the impugned orders, passed by the respondent as well as the learned District Judge, I do not find any substance in the said contention. The material on record shows that the petitioner was given sufficient opportunity at every stage and confiscation was ordered after hearing the petitioner and following the due process of law. Hence, the impugned orders do not suffer from any infirmity and warrant no interference by this Court. In the circumstances, the writ petition, which is devoid of merit, is hereby dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs. ____________ G.ROHINI, J Date: 17.01.2008 va