JUDGMENT

Ahsanuddin Amanullah, J. - The matter has been heard via video conferencing.

2. Heard Mr. Mukesh Kumar Jha, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. Arvind Kumar Pandey, learned Additional Public Prosecutor (hereinafter referred to as the 'APP') for the State.

3. The petitioner apprehends arrest in connection with Banka PS Case No. 204 of 2020 dated 11.03.2020, instituted under Section 30(a) of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016 (hereinafter referred to as the 'Act').

4. The allegation against the petitioner is that from his pick-up van, 675.900 litres of liquor, 25 bags of rice each containing 25 kgs., totaling 625 kgs. was recovered and the driver managed to escape under cover of darkness.

5. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that he was not caught at the spot and he was not driving the pick-up van and even if there is recovery, he was neither aware of it nor is responsible for the same.

6. Learned APP submitted that the recovery is from the vehicle of which the petitioner is the owner and, thus, offence is made out under the Act. He submitted that once prima facie, an offence is made out under the Act, the present petition under Section 438 of the Code of