Sudha Tripathy v. Ao-Cum-District Forests Officer, Balasore Wildlife Div.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK

W.P.(C) NO.18486 OF 2022 Sudha Tripathy .....

Petitioner Mr. S.K. Nanda, Advocate -versusAuthorized Officer-cum-Divisional Forest Officer, Balasore ....

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

CORAM:

JUSTICE K.R. MOHAPATRA

ORDER

Order No.

12.08.2022 1.

1.

This matter is taken up through hybrid mode.

2.

The Petitioner in this writ petition prays for a direction for early disposal of Confiscation Proceeding in O.R. Case No.13-N of 2021-22 pending before the Authorized Officer-cum-D.F.O., Balasore.

3.

Mr. Nanda, learned counsel for the Petitioner submits that till 5th November, 2021, seven witnesses had already been examined, but after that date, the proceeding has been stalled and no further development has taken place. Due to pendency of the confiscation proceeding, the Petitioner is seriously prejudiced. It is his submission that there is no legal impediment for early disposal of the confiscation proceeding. Hence, finding no other alternative, the Petitioner has filed this writ petition for the aforesaid relief. 4.

Mr. Dash, learned Additional Government Advocate submits that he has no instruction in the matter. If the statement of learned counsel for the Petitioner is correct, the Authorized Officer-

// 2 // cum-D.F.O., Balasore should take steps for early disposal of confiscation proceeding, provided that the same is still pending and there is no legal impediment for early disposal of the same. 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 on production of certified copy of this order within a period of two weeks hence, the Authorized Officer-cum-D.F.O., Balasore shall do well to consider and dispose of confiscation proceeding in O.R. Case No.13-N of 2021-22 as expeditiously as possible preferably within a period of six months therefrom, following due procedure of law, if the same is still pending and there is no legal impediment for early disposal of the same.

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

(K.R. Mohapatra) Judge bks