( 1 ) CERTAIN common questions have been raised in these writ petitions and they have been heard together and are being disposed of by this common judgement.

( 2 ) PETITIONERS in various petitions are owners of motor vehicles such as trucks, jeeps, tractors, stage carriage vehicles etc. On the allegation that these vehicles have been used for removing forest produce contrary to law, they have been seized by Forest Officers or Police Officers and confiscation proceedings have been initiated or about to be initiated against them. In most of the cases, action is being taken under the provisions of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 (for short, Central Act), as amended by the Indian Forest (M. P. Amendment) Act, 1983, (for short, 1983 Act ). In a few of the cases, action is being taken the M. P. Van Upaj (Vyapar Viniyaman) Adhiniyam, 1969, i. e. M. P. Act 9 of 1969 (for short, 1969 Act), as amended by the Amending Act 15 of 1987. In most of the cases, by interim orders, vehicles have been directed to be released on execution of bonds with or without sureties as the case may be. Certain provisions of Sections 53 and 52-C of the Central Act, as amended by the 1983 Act, are cha