Baldeo Singh v. The State Of Bihar, Through The Collector, Muzaffarpur And ORS

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA

Criminal Writ Jurisdiction Case No.2298 of 2017 Arising Out of PS.Case No. -null Year- null Thana -null District- MUZAFFARPUR ===========================================================

1. Baldeo Singh, S/o Sri Bir Singh, Resident of Raukekala, P.S.- Badri Kala, District- Moga (Punjab).

.... .... Petitioner/s

Versus

1. The State of Bihar, through the Collector, Muzaffarpur.

2. The Collector, Muzaffarpur.

3. The Block Supply Officer, Paroo, Muzaffarpur. .... .... Respondent/s =========================================================== Appearance :

For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Dhananjaya Nath Tiwari, Advocate For the Respondent/s : Mr. Arvind Ujjwal, SC-4 =========================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE BIRENDRA KUMAR ORAL JUDGMENT Date: 28-11-2017 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and the State.

2. The truck of this petitioner bearing registration No.PB29X-5269 was seized in connection with Paroo P.S. Case No.225 of 2017, a case under Section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act. Subsequently, confiscation Case No.217 of 2017 was initiated by the Collector, Muzaffarpur.

3. Submission of the learned counsel for the petitioner is that the jurisdiction of the Executive Officer to confiscate the vehicle is subjudice before a larger Bench of this Court in LPA No.1647 of 2015 Baleshwar Roy V. The State of Bihar & Ors. Hence, till adjudication of the aforesaid issue, the confiscation proceeding be stayed and interim release of the vehicle be ordered as no purpose is going to be served by its continued detention in police lockup.

4. Learned counsel for the State-respondent has opposed

Patna High Court Cr. WJC No.2298 of 2017 dt.28-11-2017 P2/ the prayer. However, does not dispute the aforesaid factual position of the pending issue in the L.P.A aforesaid.

5. Finding substance in the submission of the learned counsel for the petitioner especially the fact that no purpose would be served by continued detention of the vehicle, let the referred vehicle be released in favour of the petitioner by way of ad interim custody on execution of surety bond of Rs.20,00,000/- (Eight Lacs), not in the form of cash/Bank Guarantee, along with two sureties of the like amount to the satisfaction of the learned Court-below/authority concerned where the case is pending, with condition that the petitioner would not dispose of the said vehicle without permission of the authority concerned and shall produce as and when required by the Court.

6. Let operation of the confiscation proceeding remain in abeyance till disposal of the L.P.A. aforesaid and shall be subject to the L.P.A. aforesaid.

7. With the aforesaid observation, this writ application stands disposed.

(Birendra Kumar, J) Mkr./- AFR/NAFR NAFR CAV DATE NA Uploading Date30.11.2017 Transmission Date 30.11.2017