Moti Das v. The State Of Bihar And ORS

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA

Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.17981 of 2017 =========================================================== Moti Das, son of Bachoo Das, Resident of Village Kotaili, P.S. Banka, District Banka .... .... Petitioner

Versus

1. The State of Bihar through the Collector, Banka

2. The District Magistrate-cum-Collector, Banka

3. The Block Supply Officer, Banka .... .... Respondents =========================================================== Appearance :

For the Petitioner : Mr. Dhananjaya Nath Tiwari, Advocate For the Respondents : Mr. S.Raza Ahmad, AAG5 Mr. Alok Ranjan, AC to AAG 5 =========================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE VIKASH JAIN ORAL JUDGMENT Date: 18-01-2018 The petitioner seeks a direction to the respondents to release 62 bags (24 quintals) of rice seized by Circle Officer, Banka in Banka P.S. Case No. 725 of 2016 under Section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act giving rise to Confiscation Case No. 88 of 2016-17 in favour of the petitioner to the satisfaction of learned C.J.M., Banka.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the goods seized are perishable in nature and are likely to deteriorate by the time the confiscation proceeding being Confiscation Case No. 88 of 2016-17 pending before the Collector, Banka is concluded. It is further submitted that rice and wheat along with some other goods have been exempted from licensing requirements and other restrictions relating to stock limits and movement in terms of Removal of (Licensing Requirements, Stock Limits and Movement Restrictions) on Specified Foodstuffs Order, 2002 dated 15.02.2002 and thus such goods are not

Patna High Court CWJC No.17981 of 2017 dt.18-01-2018 2/2 liable for confiscation. Moreover, it is submitted that the goods seized are perishable in nature and are likely to deteriorate in the near future.

3. Learned counsel for the respondents appears and has been heard.

4. Having regard to the nature of prayer of the petitioner, this Court directs that the rice seized in connection with Banka P.S. Case No. 725/2016 be released in favour of the petitioner within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt/production of a copy of this judgment upon furnishing sufficient security, 5% of which should be in the form of cash/bank guarantee to the satisfaction of learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Banka on proper verification of the ownership of the goods. Such release shall be subject to the final result of Banka P.S. Case No. 725/2016 as well as Confiscation Case No. 88 of 2016-17. It will be open to the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Banka to keep proper quantity of seized goods as sample for the purpose of exhibits in the case.

5. The writ petition stands disposed of.

(Vikash Jain, J) AFR/NAFR NAFR CAV DATE N.A.

Uploading Date B.T/Chandran 26.01.2018 Transmission Date N.A.