STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH vs SWAROPCHANDRA

The Supreme Court analyzed the powers of the Divisional Forest Officer under the M.P. Van Upaj (Vyapar Viniyaman) Adhiniyam, 1969, particularly Sections 15, 19, and 22. The Court held that the High Court correctly determined that the Act does not provide for the confiscation of vehicles used for transporting specified forest produce, as the power of confiscation is not expressly stated in the Act. Consequently, the order of confiscation was deemed without authority of law, and the vehicle was ordered to be released.