IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND, RANCHI
SANJAY KUMAR DWIVEDI, J.
Abhishek Kumar, son of Hari Prasad Jaiswal – Appellant
Versus
The State of Jharkhand – Respondent
Cr.M.P. No. 1644 of 2022
Decided on : 29-09-2022
Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 – Section 161 – Government Tax – Examination of witness by police – Petition has been filed for quashing of revisional order passed by learned Sessions Judge whereby learned Sessions Judge refused to release wine seized in connection affirmed order – Held, Reserve price for said auction of wine liquor shall be fixed by Excise Commissioner after taking into consideration price of liquor/wine at which it was available by licensee in destination district in Arunachal Pradesh after adding Government Tax and other expenses – Respondent State and Excise Department shall take steps that if license has already been expired to renew same – Application disposed.
JUDGMENT :
This petition has been filed for quashing of the revisional order dated 20.04.2022 passed by the learned Sessions Judge, Godda in Cr.Revision No.14 of 2022 whereby learned Sessions Judge, Godda, has refused to release the wine seized in connection with Godda (T) P.S.Case No.403 of 2021 and has affirmed the order dated 29.03.2022 passed by the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Godda, pending in the court of learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Godda.
2. On the basis of Fardbeyan of Mr. Manoj Kumar, Excise Sub-Inspector, Godda, the aforesaid case has been registered stating therein that on 27.12.2021 at about 09.00 P.M he along with the police party conducted raid and container bearing Registration No.UK-06CB-6517 was stopped and a search was made. In course of search, Star Blue Deluxe Whisky 750 ml of 250 cartoons, 375 ml. of 500 cartoons and 180 ml of 250 cartoons total 1000 cartoons found. In course of search documents of M/s Majestic Bonded Warehouse, Bandardeva, Arunachal Pradesh No.FL/ UB/ 2021 -2022/000003118P dated 16.11.2021 sent to M/s Binayak Distribution Private Limited 12-A Maharajpur Industrial Area, Behind Road, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, document regarding transportation of the alleged seized wine has been produced which shows that the transportation of alleged wine found to be suspected and it is alleged that seized wine is to be sold to smuggler/mafia. It further transpires from the record that a letter no.303 dated 28.12.2021 has been issued to Officer In-charge, Godda (T) Police Station, wherein it is alleged that the said container also violated the route of permit and the said container was caught near Godda (T) which scheduled route chart is as follows:-
3. Mr. Mahesh Tewari, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is completely innocent and the petitioner is constituted special power of attorney holder of Miss Jomen Eshi and Mrs. Marpe Yonggam, proprietor of Joint venture under the name and style of M/s Majestic Bonded Warehouse Krsingsa, District Papumpare, Arunachal Pradesh. He further submitted that when the present case was instituted on 28.12.2021 and the transportation of liquor from its destination to Arunachal Pradesh till 31.12.2021 was exhausting. The wine was to be transported by Diamond Logistics Trader to the Consignee address vide truck bearing registration no.UK-06CB- 6517 dated 24.12.2021 with all relevant documents for transportation of the liquor from destination to Arunachal Pradesh till 31.12.2021. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Godda has rejected the petition filed for release of wine vide order dated 29.3.2022. He submitted that the licence of the seized wine was being carried by container was found to be genuine on verification. He submitted that the same has been observed by the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Godda. He submitted that the permit for exporting of foreign liquor by Madhya Pradesh Excise in favour of Binayak Distilleries Pvt. Ltd., Gwalior to be exported to the warehouse situated at M/s Majestic Bonded Warehouse Banderdown, Arunachal Pradesh effective and valid upto 31.12.2021. He submitted that since the route was violated that is why the learned Sessions Judge has rejected the revision petition
The court ruled that ownership of the liquor and its non-adulteration justified the release of seized goods despite route deviation under the Odisha Excise Act, 2008.
Presence of entire quantity of liquor as case property during trial will not be required.
Point of Law : Excise Department of Assam may decide whether transporting wine from the State of Arunachal Pradesh to another destination of Arunachal Pradesh via Assam with or without letter/ permit....
The court held that releasing impounded liquor would reward the petitioner for permit violations, which is impermissible under law.
The central legal point established in the judgment is that custody of seized illegal intoxicants should be subject to the procedure laid down under Sec. 75 of the Assam Excise Act, 2000, and discrep....
The prosecution must prove the seizure and the nature of the seized material beyond all reasonable doubt, and the accused's statement under Section 313 of the Code of Criminal Procedure is not suffic....
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