P.Kannan v. The Principal Chief Conservator Of Forest (Pccf) And ORS.

IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA

[ CIRCUIT BENCH AT PORT BLAIR ] *** WPA/292/2026 P. Kannan Vs The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and others Mr. Ajoy Kumar Mondal ... for the petitioner Mr. Rakesh Kumar ... for the respondents (through virtual mode) June 18, 2026 [AKB] Item No.4 The petitioner is aggrieved that the respondent No. 4 had seized his dinghy on the ground that there was certain amount of banned timber found in the dinghy.

Upon summons being issued, the petitioner had appeared before the authority, and upon an assessment being made, he had also deposited the amount fined, a miniscule amount of Rs. 50/-. Inspite of making payment, which was duly received by the authorities, the dinghy has not been released. The representations of the petitioner, on repeated occasion and lastly on April 16, 2026 have not been considered by the authority.

The respondent No.3 is directed to consider the representation of the petitioner on April 16, 2026 and release the dinghy to the petitioner. The entire process should be completed by July 10, 2026 and the resultant order will be intimated and the dinghy handed over the petitioner within the aforestated time line.

With the aforestated direction, the writ petition is disposed of.

There shall be no order as to costs.

Urgent photostat certified copy of this order, if applied for, be given to the parties on priority basis on compliance of all legal formalities.

(Reetobroto Kumar Mitra, J.)