Chandra Prakash v. The State of Bihar
Bihar Prohibition and Excise – Seizure and release of vehicle
Case brief
What is this about?
Patna High Court CWJC No. 5195 of 2025 (decided 06-05-2025), oral judgment per S. B. Pd. Singh, J. with P. B. Bajanthri, J. Vehicle-release writ petition: TATA ALTROZ (UP-25-DK-4846) seized with 447.750 litres illicit liquor, Motipur P.S. Case 440/2024, Sections 317(5)/318(4) BNS and Section 30(a) Bihar Prohibition and Excise (Amendment) Act (prayer cites 2018 amendment; body cites 2022 amendment). Owner's defence: car leased to accused via Zoomcar; no confiscation notice received. Disposition: writ petition disposed; authority directed to collect maximum fine Rs. 5,00,000/- (Five Lakhs) and release vehicle within one week; justified under Article 226 to avoid multiplicity of proceedings under Rule 12A Bihar Prohibition and Excise Rules, 2021 (2022-2023 amendments) and Sections 58, 92, 93 Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016. Reference made to Sunaina v. State of Bihar, CWJC No. 7920/2023 (petitioner's prayer; not engaged with by the Court). NAFR.