SANJAY KUMAR GUPTA Vs. STATE OF BIHAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Learned counsel for the parties are present. Since in each of these cases the relief prayed by the petitioners is identical hence they have been taken up together for analogous hearing and disposal with the consent of the parties.

(2.) The petitioners in each of the writ petitions seek a direction to the Divisional Forest Officer, Rohtas Forest Division, Rohtas -cum- Authorized Officer under the Forest Act, 1927, for provisional release of their respective vehicle pending adjudication of the confiscation proceedings. In each of these cases the vehicle of these petitioners stands seized on grounds of alleged violation of the provisions of the Forest Act and which has led to institution of the Forest Case which is now pending consideration in respective confiscation proceedings before the Authorised Officer who happens to be the Divisional Forest Officer, Rohtas Forest Division, Rohtas.

(3.) Although learned counsel for the petitioners tried to question the alleged seizure on merits but considering that the matter is pending consideration in the respective confiscation proceedings, this Court would refrain from expressing any opinion thereon.