Judgment

SUBBA RAO, J. : This appeal by certificate is directed against the order of the High Court of Judicature of the State of Punjab dismissing the petition filed by the appellant under Art. 226 of the Constitution.

2. The facts giving rise to this appeal may be briefly stated. The appellant is at present a resident of Barmer in the State of Rajasthan. But before 1947 he was living in a place which is now in Pakistan. On June 22, 1951, the Deputy Superintendent. Land Customs Station, Barmer, conducted a search of the appellants house and recovered therefrom the following ten articles :

Articles seized. Weight. Estimated Value.

Rs.

1. Silver slab 2600 tolas. 5,200/-

2. 29 Sovereigns (King Ed. VII). 2,262/-

3. 9 pieces of gold bullion. 201 tolas and 9 mushas. 22,193/-

4. 4 pieces of silver bullion. 114 tolas. 230/-

5. Uncurrent silver coins numbering 575. 865/-

6. Gold bars. 49 tolas and 9 mushas. 5,475/-

7. 255 Phials of liquid gold. 9,875/-

8. Torches 23.}

9. Playing cards 3 Dozens.}

10. Glass beads 48 packets.} 400/

_______

Total ... 46,500/-

On July 14, 1951, the Assistant Collector, Ajmer, gave notice to the appellant to show cause and explain why the goods seized from him shou