IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANTONY DOMINIC WEDNESDAY, THE 20TH FEBRUARY 2008 / 1ST PHALGUNA 1929 W.P.(C).No. 5063 of 2008(C) --------------------------------- PETITIONER: -------------- SUMADEVI, W/O. PANKAJAKSHAN, KAIPULLY HOUSE, KOTTEPADAM DESOM, VELLANIKKARA VILLAGE, THRISSUR TALUK. BY ADV. SRI.A.C.DEVY RESPONDENTS: ----------------- 1. THE DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER, AYYANTHOLE, THRISSUR DISTRICT. 2. THE RANGE OFFICER, FOREST RANGE OFFICE, PATTIKADU, THRISSUR DISTRICT. BY SPL. GOVT. PLEADER, SRI.RENJITH THAMPAN THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 20/02/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ANTONY DOMINIC, J ----------------------------------------------------------------- W.P.(C).NO.5063/2008 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Dated this the 20th day of February, 2008 JUDGMENT The prayer sought for in this writ petition is to direct release of the lorry bearing registration No. KL-7B 5731 involved in a forest offence to the petitioner. According to the petitioner, though proceedings under Section 61A of the Forest Act has been initiated there is in ordinate delay in finalising the proceedings and therefore the lorry should be directed to be released. 2. Learned Government Pleader appearing on behalf of the respondents submits that the lorry was seized on 14.6.2007 and that the proceedings under Section 61A of the Forest Act is almost at the final stage. It is also submitted that final orders will be passed within one month from today. 2 3. If as stated by the Government Pleader final orders will be passed within one month, there is no necessity of releasing the lorry to the petitioner on a temporary basis. However, I clarify that in case the respondents could not complete the proceedings and pass final orders within one month as undertaken by them, it will be open to the petitioner to apply to the respondent for release of the truck, in which case after assessing the value of the truck, if the petitioner furnishes bank guarantee for the value, the truck will be released pending finalisation of the proceedings. Writ Petition is disposed of as above. ANTONY DOMINIC JUDGE vi.