Lalu Kumar Mandal v. The State Of Bihar

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA

Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.19177 of 2019 ====================================================== Lalu Kumar Mandal S/o Ram Prasad Mandal R/o Village- Ghodhiyari, Ward No. 01, P.S.- Phulparas, Distt.- Madhubani ... ... Petitioner/s

Versus

1.

The State of Bihar through the Principal Secretary, Department of Excise and Prohibition Act Govt. of Bihar, Patna 2.

The District Magistrate Madhubani 3.

The Superintendent of Police Madhubani 4.

The Officer-in-Charge Laudaha, Distt.- Madhubani ... ... Respondent/s ====================================================== Appearance :

For the Petitioner/s :

Mr.Sanjay Kumar Jha For the Respondent/s :

Mr.Vivek Prasad (Gp7) ====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HEMANT KUMAR SRIVASTAVA and HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE PRABHAT KUMAR SINGH ORAL JUDGMENT (Per: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HEMANT KUMAR SRIVASTAVA) Date : 16-12-2019 Heard learned counsel appearing for the petitioner as well as learned counsel for the State.

The petitioner seeks release of his motorcycle bearing Registration No. BR-32X-8596 which was seized in connection with Laukaha P.S. Case No. 288 of 2018 under Sections 272, 273 and 290 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 30(a)/37(b) of Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016. It is submitted on behalf of the petitioner that the confiscation proceeding has not been initiated as yet, but learned

Patna High Court CWJC No.19177 of 2019 dt.16-12-2019 2/3 counsel for the State submits that he is not in a position to confirm the contention of the petitioner regarding initiation of the confiscation proceeding and, therefore, he will seek the report from the concerned District Collector about the initiation of confiscation proceeding.

In view of the aforesaid submission as well as in the facts and circumstances of the case, this writ application stands disposed of with a direction to the concerned Court to seek a report from the District Collector about initiation of confiscation proceeding in respect of seized vehicle in connection with Laukaha P.S. Case No. 288 of 2018 within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt/production of a copy of this order and if the report of the concerned District Collector reflects that the confiscation proceeding has already been initiated, in that event, the concerned Court shall not release the seized vehicle in favour of the petitioner, but if the report of the District Collector reveals that the confiscation proceeding has not been initiated as yet, in respect of seized vehicle, the concerned Court shall release the seized vehicle provisionally in favour of the petitioner on production of ownership and registration papers with respect to the vehicle in question before the court below on execution of bond of Rs.

Patna High Court CWJC No.19177 of 2019 dt.16-12-2019 3/3 50,000/- within two weeks from the date of receipt of report of the District Collector, with the condition that the petitioner shall not alienate or transfer the said vehicle without prior permission of the concerned Court and shall produce the aforesaid vehicle whenever and wherever it is required by the Court till final disposal of the confiscation proceeding.

Furthermore, It is made clear that if the confiscation proceeding has already been initiated in respect of the seized vehicle, the concerned District Collector shall conclude the same within sixty days from the date of receipt/production of a copy of this order.

Writ petition stands disposed of with the aforesaid directions.

(Hemant Kumar Srivastava, J) ( Prabhat Kumar Singh, J) vinita/- AFR/NAFR NAFR CAV DATE NA Uploading Date 20.12.2019 Transmission Date