Hemendra Nath Mishra v. State Of Odisha

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK

W.P.(C) NO.23735 OF 2022 Hemendra Nath Mishra ....

Petitioner Mr. Sidhartha Das, Advocate -versusState of Odisha and others ....

Opp. Parties Mr. Swayambhu Mishra, Additional Standing Counsel

CORAM:

JUSTICE K.R. MOHAPATRA

ORDER

Order No.

27.10.2022

3. 1.

This matter is taken up through hybrid mode.

2.

This writ petition has been filed seeking for a direction to the Opposite Parties for release of the vehicle bearing Registration No.JH-10-BN-8670 in favour of the Petitioner. 3.

Vide order dated 10th October, 2022, this Court directed learned State Counsel to take instruction as to whether confiscation proceeding has been initiated in respect of the vehicle in question. Today, Mr. Mishra, learned Additional Standing Counsel, on instruction, submits that confiscation proceeding has already been initiated in OR No.166K of 2021-22, which is pending before the Authorized Officer-cum-Assistant Conservator of Forest, Bonai Forest Division. He further submits that enquiry report has already been submitted by the Range Officer, Koira Forest Range to the Authorized Officer.

4.

In view of the above, this Court feels that interest of justice will be best served, if the confiscation proceeding is disposed of at an early date.

// 2 // 5.

Accordingly, this Court while disposing of the writ petition directs the Authorized Officer-cum-Assistant Conservator of Forest, Bonai Forest Division, Sundargarh-Opposite Party No.2 to dispose of the confiscation proceeding in OR No.166K of 2021-22 in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible within a period of six months from the date of production of certified copy of this order. The Petitioner is also directed to cooperate with the Authorized Officer for early disposal of the confiscation proceeding. 6.

As requested by Mr. Mishra, learned Additional Standing Counsel, a copy of this order be handed over to him for communication and compliance.

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

bks (K.R. Mohapatra) Judge