Judgment

RAY, C. J.:- These three appeals are by certificate from three judgments of the Bombay High Court. The main judgment is dated 31 August, 1970 in Civil appeal No. 1133 of 1971. The judgments in the other two appeals are dated 1 September, 1970 following the judgment in Civil Appeal No. 1133 of 1971.

2. In Civil Appeal No. 1133 of 1971 the appellants carry on business inter alia as manufacturers of cotton yarn and cotton fabrics. The first five respondents are the Central Excise Authorities. The 6th respondent is the Bank. Between 11 March, 1963 and 20 March, 1963 the Central Excise Authorities conducted search at the factory and mill premises belonging to the appellants. The Excise Authorities seized 1662 bales of processed and grey cotton fabrics belonging to the appellants. The 6th respondent, the Bank was the pledgee of the seized goods. The goods were lying in the godown and bonded store rooms at the mill premises and the Bank was in possession of the same under a cash credit arrangement with the appellants. The Excise Authorities also seized several books of accounts, documents, vouchers belonging to the appellants and lying at the mill premises.

3. On 8 April, 1963 the a