Petitioner sought release of a motorcycle seized near a spot where liquor was recovered from bushes. Court ordered release without surety after finding no contraband recovered from the vehicle.
Release of the seized vehicle within 14 days upon production of ownership documents and registration certificate.
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.18490 of 2018
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Rupesh Kumar Singh S/o-Baban Singh, Resident of Village +P.O.-Aghaila Mathia, P.s.-Mufassil Dhanauti, District-Siwan-841227.
... ... Petitioner/s
... ... Respondent/s
====================================================== Appearance : For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Akshay Lal Pandit For the Respondent/s : Mr.Anil Kumar Sinha -GA1 ====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE JYOTI SARAN and HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ARVIND SRIVASTAVA ORAL JUDGMENT (Per: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE JYOTI SARAN)
Date : 01-04-2019
Heard Mr. S. Azim, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Mr. Pawan Kumar, learned AC to GA 1 appearing for the State.
The petitioner prays for provisional release of Hero Honda Passion XPro bearing Registration No. BR29AA-3911, Engine No. JA12ABHGA03004, Chasis No. MBLJA12ACHGA01741, which has been seized in connection with dhanauti Muffasil P.S. Case No. 293 of 2018 for the offences punishable under Sections 272 and 273 of the Indian Penal Code and sections 30(A) and 38(i) of the Bihar
Patna High Court CWJC No.18490 of 2018 dt.01-04-2019 2/3
Prohibition and Excise Act.
Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that a plain reading of the first information report would confirm that no recovery was made from the motorcycle in question, rather the liquor was recovered from the bushes near the premise. He further submits that even when no recovery was made from the motorcycle in question, yet simply because it was standing nearby that it has been seized.
Mr. Pawan Kumar, learned counsel appearing for the State opposing the prayer submits that since the motorcycle in question was being used for the purpose and was standing near the place of recovery, hence the seizure.
We have heard learned counsel for the parties, perused the records and also examined the first information report which confirms the submissions made by Mr. Azim regarding absence of recovery from the motorcycle in question, rather the liquor in question was recovered from the bushes near which the vehicle in question was standing.
In such circumstances and taking note of the legal position settled by this Court in the case of Diwakar
Patna High Court CWJC No.18490 of 2018 dt.01-04-2019 3/3
Kumar Singh Vs. The State of Bihar through the Principal Secretary, Excise Department & Ors. reported in 2018 (3) PLJR 403 , we direct for release of the vehicle in question in favour of the petitioner within a period of 14 days of receipt/production of a copy of this order subject to production of the document showing the ownership of the vehicle and registration certificate by the petitioner.
Since no recovery was made from the vehicle in question, there is no question of initiation of confiscation proceeding in respect of the vehicle in question nor there is any requirement of furnishing any surety as well.
With this observation/directions above, this writ petition is allowed.
(Jyoti Saran, J)
( Arvind Srivastava, J)
mcv/-
| AFR/NAFR | NAFR |
|---|---|
| CAV DATE | NA |
| Uploading Date | 11.04.2019 |
| Transmission Date | NA |
1 issue framed by the court
Whether a vehicle seized without recovery of contraband from it can be released without surety.
Colour shows how this judgement treated each authority
Diwakar Kumar Singh Vs. The State of Bihar through the Principal Secretary, Excise Department & Ors.Distinguished¶20
Diwakar Kumar Singh Vs. The State of Bihar through the Principal Secretary, Excise Department & Ors. 2018 (3) PLJR 403
2 provisions across 1 enactments
Rupesh Kumar Singh
The State Of Bihar
The Commissioner, Excise Saran Division Saran
The District Magistrate, Siwan
The Superintendent of Police, Siwan
Jyoti Saran
Arvind Srivastava
As recorded by the court registry
Judgements on the same questions, provisions and authorities, from every court
