JUDGMENT :

Ashok Bhushan, J.

Delay condoned. Leave granted.

2. This appeal has been filed against the impugned judgment and order of Karnataka High Court dated 04.07.2017 in Writ Petition No. 18941/2016 and Writ Petition Nos. 19328-19335/2016(GM-MM-S). High Court vide its judgment dated 04.07.2017 has allowed the Writ Petitions directing for release of the iron ore in favour of writ petitioners (respondent herein).

3. The brief facts necessary to be noted for deciding this appeal are:

A First Information Report No. 17/2009-10 dated 15.03.2010 was registered for illegal storage of iron ore by violating Sections 2(7)(b)(iv), 62, 80 of the Karnataka Forest Act, 1963 and Rules 143, 162 of the Karnataka Forests Rules, 1969. Judicial Magistrate First Class, Ankola permitted for further inquiry by including Section 24(e) of Karnataka Forest Act, 1963. On 20.03.2010 about 5 Lakhs Metric Tonnes of illegally stocked iron ore has been seized on "as-is-where-is-basis" and seizure report has been submitted to the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Ankola who permitted to retain the same until further orders.

4. Another case registered was CBI Crime No. RC 17(A)/2012. Chargesheets were filed after inves