Md. Liaqath Ali v. The Commissioner

THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE T.AMARNATH GOUD WRIT PETITION NO.30879 OF 1998 ORDER:

This writ petition is filed seeking to call for the records pertaining to proceedings No.B7/629/96, dated 21-10-1997 passed by the 2nd respondent, confiscating the vehicle Auto Rickshaw bearing No.AP-13-4130 and proceedings in Cr.No.1612/DPE/98/B2, dated 26-10-1998 passed by the 1st respondent, confirming the orders of the 2nd respondent and set aside the same.

2.

It is the case of the petitioner that he is the owner of the Auto Rickshaw bearing No. AP-13-4130 and the said vehicle was being used by following the law of the land, more particularly under the provisions of the Excise and Prohibition Laws. While the matter stood thus, the vehicle was seized in Cr.No.348/95-96, dated 26-41996 of Prohibition and Excise Station, Zaheerabad on the allegation of transporting the contraband liquor. The second respondent by his proceedings No.B7/629/96, dated 21-10-1997 confiscated the vehicle to the State and that the petitioner preferred an appeal before the 1st respondent and that the 1st respondent by his proceedings in CR.No.1612/DPE/98/B2, dated 26-10-1998 passed orders confirming the order of the 2nd respondent.

3.

Heard.

4.

As seen from the order of the 1st respondent in the appeal and original order of the 2nd respondent, the mensrea of the owner of the vehicle has not been established involving him in the crime.

That apart, the respondents have not conducted any enquiry and have not given any opportunity to the petitioner to participate in the enquiry and more so, the appellate authority reiterated the contents of the order passed by the original authority and the appellate authority has not passed the order with open mind. It is not an independent order and it is only incorporation of the order of original authority. When the petitioner has not been furnished with the material, the question of placing any evidence before the appellate authority to reverse the order of the original authority does not arise. The requirements contemplated under Section 46 of the A.P. Excise and Prohibition Act have not been followed by the respondent authorities.

5.

In view of the observations made above and also in view of the violation of principles of natural justice, the orders passed by the appellate authority as well as the order of the original authority are liable to be set aside.

6.

Accordingly, the writ petition is allowed, setting aside the orders passed by the respondents 1 and 2. No order as to costs. As a sequel, the miscellaneous petitions pending if any shall stand closed.

_______________________ T.AMARNATH GOUD,J Date: 13-07-2018 Shr