India, March 22 -- The Bombay High Court has dismissed a petition challenging the confiscation of over 14,204 kg of red sanders seized in 2016, holding that the transporters violated conditions of the permit issued to move the high-value timber from Bengaluru to Virar.

A single-judge bench of justice N J Jamadar said the transporters "cannot be permitted to wriggle out of the consequences" of breaching the terms of the exchange pass issued by Maharashtra forest authorities.

The petition was filed by Bengaluru resident Ravi K S, 49, and Panvel resident Rajkumar Godara, 49, against a March 13, 2025 sessions court order that had upheld a December 2022 decision of the Chief Conservator of Forests, Thane, confirming the seizure.

Police inte...