FOREST RANGE OFFICER Vs. V KAMALA KANNAN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The Forest Range Officer, Sanipaya Range of Kadapa District filed this writ petition challenging the order, dated 18.07.1998, passed by the Court of the District Judge, Kadapa in C.M.A.No.16 of 1997.

(2.) The facts that led to the filing of this writ petition are as under:

(3.) The petitioner and his team got an information that smuggling of red sanders was taking place in the surroundings of Veeraballi Beat and Gadikota Reserve Forest in his range and they held a watch on the intervening night of 3rd and 4th of August, 1985. At 4.00 a.m., a lorry bearing No.PYP-985 was intercepted. Ten persons, who are in the lorry, are said to have fled away under the cover of darkness. 214 red sanders weighing 5333 kgs. were found in the lorry. The lorry and red sanders were seized under the cover of a panchanama.