ORDER:

The present Criminal Petition is filed seeking a direction against Respondent No. 2 to release the crime vehicle i.e., SWIFT D’ZIRE ZDI BS V bearing Registration No.KA 36 M 7236 seized in connection with Crime No. POR 17/14-15/2020 dated 25.01.2020.

2. Heard Mr. Ch. Ganesh, learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Government Pleader for Forest appearing on behalf of respondent No.2.

3. Facts of the Case:

i) The Petitioner claims to be the owner of Maruthi Swift Dzire (hereinafter the ‘subject vehicle’ bearing Registration No.KA 36 M 7236. The allegation against the Petitioner is that he along with two others was involved in transporting a ‘two-head Red Sand Boa Snake’ (Eryx Johinii). A case vide POR No. 17/14-15/2020 was registered under Sections 2 (16), 29, 49, 50 and 57 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (hereinafter ‘the Act, 1972’). The Petitioner herein is Accused No. 3 in the said case. Based on the said POR, the subject vehicle was seized under the provisions of the Act, 1972.

ii) Aggrieved by the seizure the Petitioner herein filed a petition vide Crl.M.P. No. 111 of 2020 before the Junior Civil Judge - cum - Judicial Magistrate of First Class at Chevella. The