OM LOGISTICS LTD Vs. DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner is a multi model transport agency, having its registered office at Delhi. It entrusted a consignment of automobile parts to a vehicle bearing No.MP-6E-3105, owned by one Sri Basudev Singh, to be transported from Faridabad to Chennai. The lorry was intercepted at Adilabad, on 27-2-2007, in the Adilabad District. On finding that the vehicle was loaded with some teak logs, the Sub- Divisional Forest Officer, the 2nd respondent, seized the vehicle, and placed it before the 1st respondent for necessary steps, under Section 44 of the A.P. Forest Act, 1961 (for short 'the Act').

(2.) The petitioner submitted am application before the 1st respondent for release of the automobile parts. Initially, the 1st respondent required the petitioner to pursue the matter with the 2nd respondent Thereafter, through a separate letter, he called for the remarks of the 2nd respondent Petitioner complains that, on account of the delay in release of the parts, it is exposed to damages, and pressure from the consignor. It is also the case of the petitioner that the automobile parts do no answer the description of the fores produce, or the receptacle, as defined unde the Act, and that there is no basis fo the respondents in seizing the automobile parts.

(3.) Heard the learned Counsel for the petitioner and learned Government Pleader for Forest.