JUDGMENT :

Sanjeeb K Panigrahi, J.

1. The petitioner, in the present Writ Petition, challenges the legality and propriety of the impugned judgment dated 23.09.2025 passed by the learned District Judge, Ganjam, Berhampur in F.A.O. No.1 of 2025.

I. FACTUAL MATRIX OF THE CASE:

2. Succinctly put, the facts of the case are as follows:

(i) On 06.02.2022, at about 4.30 PM, the complainant, Prasant Kumar Karjee, Forester, Khalikote, while on patrolling duty along with Manoj Sethi, Forest Guard, and Babi Pallei of the Forest Protection Squad, intercepted a white-coloured Bolero Pick-up bearing Registration No. OD-33AD-8793 on National Highway No. 16 near Kespur Market on suspicion.

(ii) Upon inspection, the vehicle was found to be carrying ten Sisoo logs along with one Palo and rope. The driver of the vehicle, namely Nabin Mistri, failed to produce any valid documents authorising transportation of the said forest produce. Consequently, the vehicle along with the Sisoo logs was seized, brought to the Range Office, Khalikote, and produced before the Range Officer.

(iii) Thereafter, a case was registered against the vehicle and the driver, Nabin Mistri, vide O.R. Case No. 275 of 2021-22 of Khalikote