STATE OF BIHAR vs KEDAR SAO

The Supreme Court addressed the jurisdictional issue regarding the confiscation of vehicles under the Bihar Amendment Act, 1990, and the Trade Act, 1984. It held that the Divisional Forest Officer lacked authority to order confiscation under Section 52 of the Bihar Amendment Act, as the power rested with the competent court, thus affirming the Patna High Court's ruling that the provisions of the Trade Act applied. The Court emphasized that the jurisdiction for such orders lies exclusively with the judicial authority, not the administrative officers.