IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANTONY DOMINIC MONDAY, THE 17TH MARCH 2008 / 27TH PHALGUNA 1929 W.P(C).No. 6159 of 2008(G) --------------------------------- PETITIONER: -------------- RASIMON V.M., S/O. MAJEED, VALIPARAMBIL HOUSE, THALIKULAM P.O., THRISSUR. BY ADV. SRI.DILIP J. AKKARA RESPONDENTS: ----------------- 1. THE STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, DEPARTMENT OF FORESTS, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. DISTRICT FOREST OFFICER, KASARAGOD RANGE, KASARAGOD. 3. THE FOREST RANGE OFFICER, KASARAGOD. 4. THE S.I. OF POLICE, VATANAPPILLY POLICE STATION, THRISSUR. BY SPL. GOVT. PLEADER, SRI. RANJITH THAMPAN THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 17/03/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ANTONY DOMINIC, J. =============== W.P.(C) NO. 6159 OF 2008 G ==================== Dated this the 17th day of March, 2008 J U D G M E N T In this writ petition, petitioner claims to be owner of a Santro Car bearing Regn.No.KL8 AA 3758. According to him, the vehicle was stolen and was seized for transportation on the allegation of transportation of sandal wood. Following this, proceedings were initiated and when the representations made by the petitioner seeking release of the car did not yield result, this writ petition was filed. 2. Learned Government Pleader on behalf of the respondents submits that following the seizure of the vehicle, proceedings were initiated under Section 61(A) of the Forest Act and proceedings are pending. 3. In view of the pendency of the proceedings as submitted by the learned Government Pleader, which according to him has started on 9/7/05, it is only proper that the proceedings are completed as expeditiously as possible. Accordingly, I direct that the proceedings under Section 61(A) shall be completed at any rate within four weeks from today and in case proceedings are not completed, it will be open to the petitioner to seek release of the vehicle by making appropriate application to the 2nd WPC No. 6159/08 :2 : respondent. If such an application is made, the 2nd respondent shall get the value of the vehicle assessed by an officer of the Motor Vehicles Department and if the petitioner furnishes Bank guarantee for the said value, the vehicle will be released subject to further proceedings. Writ petition is disposed of as above. ANTONY DOMINIC,JUDGE. Rp