Dharnidhar Jha, J.-The appellants were respondents before the learned Authorized Officer , Special Court II. Vigilance, Patna in Special case No. 7 of 2010 which arose out of Vigilance P.S. Case No. 39 of 2006. The appellants challenge the order passed by the learned Authorized Officer designated under Bihar Special Courts Act. 2009 (hereinafter referred to as the 'Act') dated 23rd June, 2011 on a petition filed under Section 13 of the Act directing the confiscation of the properties described in Schedules A and B of the petition and further directing the appellants to surrender and deliver the possession over the properties contained in Schedules A and B of the petition in favour of the District Magistrate Patna who was authorized by the learned Authorized Officer to take possession of the same within thirty days of the impugned order. An alternative direction was also issued to the, District Magistrate. Patna that in case of refusal on behalf of the appellants to surrender the properties as directed by the Authorized Officer possession over the properties shall be resumed by the District Magistrate even if it required use of some force.

2. The facts leading to the passing