In this writ application under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, the extent and the content of the power of and the procedures to be adhered to by under the Assam Fotest Regulation, 1891 is the subject matter at issue, which arises in the following circumstances.

2. The petitioner is a registered owner of a truck bearing registration No. NLA 3709 which operates as a public carrier. The Range Officer, Protection Range, Diphu, found the vehicle inside the Dhansiri Reserve Forest on 2.2.98 at 11 AM while some persons were loading the truck with Bogi Poma and Badam, collected and stacked inside the Reserve Forest. The vehicle was accordingly seized in presence of witnesses. The petitioner stated that at the relevant time, when the incident took place, he was at Silchar and as such, he was totally unaware about it. On his return from Silchar when he was informed about the matter, he approached the respondent No.3, the Divisional ForeslOfficer,; Karbi Anglong, West Division, Diphu, for release of the vehicle. The petitioner received a notice bearing No.FO 3/98/32103-104 dated 8.4:95 advising him to appear before the respondent No.3 on 25.6.98 and signed by the DFO Karbi Anglong,

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