ORDER :

1. This petition is filed by the petitioner/RC holder of the vehicle under Section 482 of Cr.P.C. for setting aside the order passed by the Prl. District and Sessions Judge, Vijayapura dated 10.07.2024 in Crl. Misc. No. 981/2024, having dismissed the application under Section 457 of Cr.P.C. and release the vehicle, which was seized by the Excise Range Office in Crime No. 105/2023-24/1006IE/100606 for offences punishable under Sections 15(c), 18(c), 20(b)(ii)(B), 25, 61, 8(b), 8(c) of NDPS Act.

2. Heard the arguments of learned counsel for the petitioner and learned HCGP for the State.

3. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner is the owner of the goods container vehicle bearing registration No. RJ-14/GG-4191 and he is engaged in the profession of transportation of goods from different parts of the country and the vehicle in question was hired by the Royal India Roadways for transportation of garments. Accordingly, garments were sent along with 12 invoices from Ludhiana, Panjab to Tripura and Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. When the vehicle was passing near the jurisdiction of Shiradon check post, the vehicle was intercepted and on verification, the Excise Inspector found 10