Jeya @ Jeyapandi v. The Inspector Of Police
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 06.12.2021
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE R. THARANI Jeya @ Jeyapandi .. Petitioner Vs.
1.The Inspector of Police, Thanjavur West Police Station, Thanjavur District.
(Crime No.134 of 2021) 2.Kumar@Nallakurumban.M 3.Pandiyammal 4.Sankar alias Sankarganesh 5.Haripandi 6.Annapillai .. Respondents Prayer : This Revision Case is filed under Section 397 r/w. Section 401 of Cr.P.C., to call for the records relating to the order, dated 26.10.2021, passed in Cr.M.P.No.995 of 2021, on the file of the Additional District Judge / Presiding Officer, Special Court under Essential Commodities Act, Thanjavur and to set aside the same and to return the vehicle bearing Registration No.TN-49-CC-2203 on the file of the said court in NDCP No. 17/2021. For Petitioner : Mr.J.Selvam For R-1 : Mrs.M.Aasha Government Advocate
ORDER
This Criminal Revision has been filed to call for the records relating to the order, dated 26.10.2021, passed in Cr.M.P.No.995 of 2021, on the file of the Additional District Judge / Presiding Officer, Special Court under Essential Commodities Act, Thanjavur and to set aside the same and to return the vehicle. 2.
A vehicle, viz.,Volkswagen Vento Car, bearing Registration No.TN-49-CA-5762 was seized by the first respondent, in Crime No.134 of 2021, under Sections 8(c), 20(b)(ii)(C) and 29(1) of NDPS Act. The petitioner claiming himself as the owner of the vehicle filed a petition in Cr.M.P.No.995 of 2021 before the Additional District Judge/ Presiding Officer, Special Court under Essential Commodities Act, Thanjavur, for temporary return of the vehicle. That petition was dismissed by the Special Court, 1/3
Thanjavur. Against the order, the petitioner has filed this Criminal Revision.
3. On the side of the petitioner, it is stated that the petitioner is the registered owner of the vehicle and the vehicle was seized on 19.02.2021. If the vehilce is kept idle, it will loss its value and prayed the vehicle to be returned to the petitioner for interim custody. In this regard, the learned counsel for the petitioner has relied upon a judgment of this Court in Crl.R.C.(MD) No.10 of 2021, [Chandran Vs. State rep. By, the Sub Inspector of Police,] dated 25.01.2021.
4. On the side of the prosecution, it is sated that the vehicle was seized by the first respondent for transporting 22 1⁄2 Kgs of Ganja. Totally six accused involved in the offence. The petitioner herein is A2 and the accused persons were arrested. If the vehicle is released by way of interim custody, there is a possibility of the vehicle being used for commission of similar offence again and hence, prayed the petition to be dismissed. 5.The offence is serious in nature. The case cited by the petitioner in Cr. R.C.(MD)No.10 of 2021, dated 25.01.2021, is regarding only a modification of a condition and the facts are not similar to the present case. The petitioner is one of the accused in the case. Considering the nature of the case and considering the involvement of the petitioner in the case and also considering the fact that there is a possibility of the vehicle being used for commission of similar offence again, this Court is not inclined to release the vehicle.
6. Hence, this Criminal Revision Case is dismissed. Sd/- Assistant Registrar (CS-III) // True Copy // / /2021 Sub Assistant Registrar(CS) Ls NOTE: In view of the present lock down owing to COVID-19 pandemic, a web copy of the order may be utilized for official purposes, but, ensuring that the copy of the order that is presented is the correct copy, shall be the responsibility of the advocate/litigant concerned.
2/3
To 1.The Additional District Judge / Presiding Officer, Special Court under Essential Commodities Act, Thanjavur.
2.The Inspector of Police, Thanjavur West Police Station, Thanjavur District.
3.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.
06.12.2021 MSK(CO) KB(22.12.2021) 3P 4C 3/3