THE HON’BLE SMT. JUSTICE T. MADHAVI DEVI WRIT PETITION No.23932 OF 2025

ORDER

This Writ Petition is filed seeking to declare the action of the respondents No.3 and 4 in not releasing petitioner’s vehicle i.e., Maruti Suzuki Swift Red color bearing registration No.TG-16-C-7866, seized pursuant to the registration of POR No.1917/15, dated 19.06.2024, as illegal and arbitrary and consequently to direct the respondents No.3 and 4 to release the vehicle and to pass such order or orders.

2. Brief facts leading to the filing of the present writ petition are that the petitioner claims to be the owner of the vehicle i.e., Maruti Suzuki Swift Red color, bearing Registration No.TG-16-C7866 and it is submitted that the said vehicle was being used by the husband of the petitioner and the same was seized by the forest officials on the ground that they have recovered certain scales, skin and nails of the ‘pangolin’ animal from the said vehicle. Petitioner is seeking release of the vehicle on the ground that the vehicle is in the custody of the forest officials since 20.06.2025 and if it is kept idle for long period, it may get deteriorated.

3. Learned Government Pleader for Forests, however, submitt