Judgement

NATARAJAN, J.:- Without a shred of evidence being recorded the rendering of a judgment of acquittal under the garb of an order of discharge of the accused by the Special Judge, Shimla and a summary dismissal of the criminal revision filed against that order by the High Court of Himahcal Pradesh with the cryptic words "Heard. Dismissed." has impelled the State to file this appeal by special leave under Art. 136 of the Constitution.

2. During the investigation of another case relating to F.I.R. No. 71 of L977 the investigating authorities came to seize 2607 scants. With reference to these scants a case as registered in F.I.R. No. 94 dated 25-12-1977 against the first respondent and five others for commission of offences punishable under Ss. 379, 411, 420. 218, 468 and 120-B, Penal Code, read with S. 5(2)(d), Prevention .of Corruption Act. Investigation revealed that the accused had entered into a criminal conspiracy for illicitly felling trees of Kail standing on Government land and in pursuance of the conspiracy permits for cutting of trees standing on Government land had been obtained by making use of forged applications and that certain Revenue Department officials and For