Quashing application against an FIR under Section 30(a) of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act alleging recovery of illicit country liquor from the petitioner's motorcycle. The court held knowledge was a factual question for trial and dismissed the petition, leaving defences open.
None; petitioner free to raise all defences before the trial court.
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.43848 of 2023
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-172 Year-2023 Thana- NAGAR District- Vaishali
======================================================
Binod Kumar Das S/O Late Narayan Das R/O Village- Minapur, Madhuban, P.S And Distt.- Hajipur.
... ... Petitioner
Versus
The State of Bihar
| ================ | ... ... Opposite Party ====================================== |
|---|---|
| Appearance : For the Petitioner For the Opposite Party ================ |
: Mr. Subhash Kumar, Advocate : Mr. Lakshmi Kant Sharma, A.P.P ====================================== |
| CORAM: HONOUR SINGH |
ABLE MR. JUSTICE CHANDRA PRAKASH |
ORAL ORDER
2 03-12-2024
Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned
A.P.P. for the State.
2. The present application has been filed on behalf of the petitioner for quashing the F.I.R. arising out of Hajipur (Town) P.S. Case No. 172 of 2023 registered against the petitioner for the offences punishable under Section 30(a) of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act.
3. As per the prosecution case, total 40 litres of illicit country-made liquor was recovered from the motorcycle.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that the petitioner is innocent and has falsely been implicated in this case. Nothing has been recovered from the vehicle of the petitioner. Learned counsel has submitted that in the absence of the petitioner, the motorcycle was being used by his bhagina . It
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.43848 of 2023(2) dt.03-12-2024 2/3
is further submitted that no case under Section 30(a) is made out against the petitioner as he was living at the place of posting, Port Blair, South Andaman.
5. Learned A.P.P. for the State has vehemently opposed the quashing application of the petitioner. Learned A.P.P. for the State has relied on the judgment of Rajendra Singh Vs. The State of Uttar Pradesh, AIR 2007 SC 2786 wherein it was observed that " No finding on plea of alibi can be given in petition under Section 482 of the Cr.P.C." Learned A.P.P. for the State has further relied on the judgment of Prashant Kumar Ningani Vs The State of Madhya Pradesh 2019 Cr. LJ (NOC) 100 (M.P) wherein it is observed that "plea of alibi cannot be taken into consideration while exercising powers under Section 482 of the Cr.P.C."
6. Considering the submissions of the learned counsel of both the parties and material available on the record, this Court is of the opinion that the proceedings cannot be quashed at this preliminary stage. Whether the petitioner had knowledge of the offence is a factual question that requires appreciation of evidence during trial. The FIR and the subsequent proceedings do not appear to be an abuse of process of law. The petitioner is at liberty to raise all his defences before the trial court
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.43848 of 2023(2) dt.03-12-2024 3/3
7. Accordingly, this quashing application is dismissed.
(Chandra Prakash Singh, J)
atul/-
U T
1 issue framed by the court
Whether the FIR under Section 30(a) of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act could be quashed where the petitioner pleaded alibi and absence of recovery from his vehicle.
Colour shows how this judgement treated each authority
Rajendra Singh Vs. The State of Uttar PradeshRelied on
AIR 2007 SC 2786 · Who else cites this
Prashant Kumar Ningani Vs The State of Madhya PradeshRelied on
2019 Cr. LJ (NOC) 100 (M.P)
1 provisions across 1 enactments
Binod Kumar Das
The State of Bihar
Chandra Prakash Singh
As recorded by the court registry
Judgements on the same questions, provisions and authorities, from every court
