THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE R.SUBHASH REDDY WRIT PETITION No.28385 of 2010 ORDER: In this writ petition, petitioner has questioned the seizure of Eicher Van bearing No.AP10 T 9231 by the respondent – Forest Range Officer, Echoda Range, Adilabad District. It is the case of the petitioner that he is the owner of aforesaid DCM Lorry, which he has purchased by availing loan. It is stated that on 07.10.2010, the vehicle was loaded with cable drums from VRL Transport, Secunderabad, in order to proceed to Adilabad, but the driver of the petitioner without his knowledge has undertaken transportation of teakwood. On the ground that the vehicle was involved in illegal transportation of teakwood, the same was seized by the respondent on 08.10.2010. It is also stated that no proceedings have been initiated for confiscation. The Divisional Forest Officer is the authorized officer for initiating confiscation proceedings. From a perusal of the notice, dated 08.10.2010, it is clear that the petitioner was given option to file a compounding statement to get release of the vehicle. It is submitted by the petitioner that as much as the transportation of teakwood was undertaken by the driver without his knowledge, he is not liable to pay Rs.88,000/- as directed by the respondent, to compound such offence. It is not in dispute that the vehicle was used for unauthorized transportation of goods. If the petitioner is not prepared to get compound the offence in terms of the notice, dated 08.10.2010, the petitioner can as well move the authorized officer for release of the vehicle pending confiscation proceedings. The petitioner has not even moved the authorized officer for release of the vehicle in question. In that view of the matter, I do not find any merit in the writ petition to order release of the vehicle in question, at this stage. However, it is made clear that the petitioner is permitted to submit an application to the authorized officer for release of the vehicle in question, within a period of two (2) weeks from today, and the authorized officer is directed to consider such application and pass appropriate orders on it within a period of two (2) weeks thereafter. Subject to the above directions, the writ petition is disposed of. No order as to costs. ______________________ R.SUBHASH REDDY, J 16th NOVEMBER, 2010. kvni