Prasanta Kumar Pani v. State Of Odisha

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK

W.P.(C) NO.18197 OF 2022 Prasanta Kumar Pani .....

Petitioner Mr. S. Hota, Advocate -versusState of Odisha and others ....

Opp. Parties Mr. A.R. Dash, Additional Government Advocate

CORAM:

JUSTICE K.R. MOHAPATRA

ORDER

Order No.

12.08.2022 2.

1.

This matter is taken up through hybrid mode.

2.

The Petitioner in this writ petition seeks for a direction to release the vehicle bearing Registration No.OR-09-K-7608 (Tipper) seized in connection with Offence Report No.156 CH of 2020-21 and to dispose of Confiscation Proceeding No.9 of 2021 pending before the Authorized Officer, Keonjhar Forest Division, KeonjharOpposite Party No.2 at an early date. 3.

In course of hearing, Mr. Hota, learned counsel for the Petitioner submits that interest of justice will be best served, if a direction is made for early disposal of the confiscation proceeding. 4.

Mr. Dash, learned Additional Government Advocate, on instruction, submits that in spite of service of notice on the Petitioner, he is neither appearing nor co-operating for early disposal of Confiscation Proceeding No.9 of 2021. In the event the Petitioner appears and co-operates the Authorized Officer, the

// 2 // confiscation proceeding can be taken up and disposed of in accordance with law.

5.

Taking into consideration the submissions made by learned counsel for the parties, this Court without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case disposes of this writ petition with a direction that in the event the Petitioner appears before the Authorized Officer, Keonjhar Forest Division, Keonjhar-Opposite Party No.2 on 5th September, 2022 along with certified copy of this order and co-operates for early disposal of Confiscation Proceeding No.9 of 2021-22 pending before him, he shall do well to accept the appearance of the Petitioner and proceed with the matter in accordance with law. He shall also make an endeavour for expeditious disposal of Confiscation Proceeding No.9 of 2021-22, if there is no legal impediment.

Urgent certified copy of this order be granted on proper application.

(K.R. Mohapatra) Judge bks