Gautam Muni v. The State Of Bihar And ORS

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA

Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.17876 of 2018 ====================================================== Gautam Muni, Son of Shri Suresh Prasad Singh, Resident of Kurmadih, Shambhugnj, P.S. Shambhuganj, District Banka. ... ... Petitioner/s

Versus

1. The State of Bihar through the Principal Secretary, Registration, Excise and Prohibition, Government of Bihar, Patna.

2. The District Magistrate, Banka.

3. The Superintendent of Police, Banka

4. The Station House Officer, Police Station-Shambhuganj, District-Banka. ... ... Respondent/s ====================================================== Appearance :

For the Petitioner/s :

Mr. Satyabir Bharti, Advocate For the Respondent/s :

Mr. Vivek Prasad, GP 7 ====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE JYOTI SARAN and HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ARVIND SRIVASTAVA ORAL JUDGMENT (Per: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE JYOTI SARAN) Date : 25-02-2019 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned counsel appearing on behalf of the state.

The petitioner prays for provisional release of the Mahindra Alfa Passenger Auto Rickshaw bearing Registration No. BR10PA 6371, Chasis No. MA1LE2FYSF5G87804 Engine No. A5F0915084, which has been seized in connection with Shambhuganj P.S. Case No. 137 of 2017 for the offences punishable under Sections 30(a) of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act.

It is stated by learned counsel for the petitioner that

Patna High Court CWJC No.17876 of 2018 dt.25-02-2019 2/3 confiscation proceeding is pending and the vehicle is lying under the open sky in the police station. The seizure list reflects the seizure of 1.500 liters of I.M.F.L.

Having heard learned counsel for the parties and taking note of the nature of seizure made as well as the fact that the confiscation proceeding is pending, we direct that the vehicle in question be released provisionally in favour of the petitioner on production of ownership and registration with respect to vehicle in question in his name before the Collector cum District Magistrate, Banka with two sureties (one local) to the extent of the value of the vehicle as indicated in the insurance document. The petitioner while submitting the sureties shall also furnish the following affidavits/undertakings: (I) That the vehicle in question has never been involved in any offence of similar nature in past and shall not indulge in similar offence in future:

(ii) That the petitioner shall not indulge in creating any third party right or interest in respect of the vehicle during the pendency of the confiscation proceeding and shall not alienate the vehicle during this period.

(iii) The petitioner shall furnish an undertaking to produce the vehicle before the confiscating authority as and

Patna High Court CWJC No.17876 of 2018 dt.25-02-2019 3/3 when required.

(iv) Prior to release of the vehicle, a Panchanama would be got prepared by the Collector-cum-District Magistrate, Banka wherein the photograph of the vehicle shall be taken and will be certified by the petitioner and the same shall be kept on record so that in future, if so required, it may be used as a secondary evidence. The petitioner shall furnish an undertaking not to challenge the said Panchanama in course of trial. The release shall be allowed within a period of 14 days from the date of submission of the sureties and the undertakings as stated above. This release would, however, be subject to finalization of the confiscation proceeding. With the observations/directions above, this writ petition is allowed.

(Jyoti Saran, J) ( Arvind Srivastava, J) Shailendra/- AFR/NAFR NAFR CAV DATE NA Uploading Date 16.03.2019 Transmission Date NA