JUDGMENT

 Mr. V.G. Pragasam, learned counsel for the respondents, states that though on the last occasion he had undertaken to file Vakalatnama for respondents Nos.1 and 6, despite his best efforts, he could not contact them and obtain instructions for filing vakalat. Therefore, we deem that respondents Nos. 1 and 6 are not interested in contesting the matter. They are set ex-parte.

2. Leave granted.

3. On the intervening night of February 14 and 15, 1978, the lorry - APD 3156, was being loaded with 28 logs of red-sander wood at tri-junction road, one mile away from Sanipaya near Marrimanu in Cuddapah District of Andhra Pradesh State. The officers of the forest department, who were in watch, proceeded to the place and seized the 28 sander-wood logs loaded in the lorry under a Panchnama-Ex.P8. They also seized 118 logs which were kept on the road side for being loaded into the lorry. The statement of the accused 2 to 7 who were apprehended on the spot, were recorded under Exs. P1 to P7. The lorry trip sheet Ex.P-19 was also seized. Thereafter, they were charged for the offence under S.20 read with S.29 of the A.P. Forest Act, 1967, (for short the Act) read with Rule 3 of the A.P. Sand