In Brief
The State of Kerala appealed against a High Court order quashing confiscation of a jeep and sandalwood seized in 1998. The jeep owner claimed the goods were brought from Karnataka. The High Court found that (1) the seized sandalwood originated in Karnataka, and (2) ownership by the State of Kerala was not established. The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision, holding that confiscation under Section 61-A of the Kerala Forest Act cannot proceed without proof that forest produce belongs to the State. The appeal was dismissed.
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