The main legal point established in the judgment is the principle that seized vehicles should not be kept at police stations for a long period and that appropriate orders for interim custody should be passed by the Magistrate pending the hearing of applications for return of such vehicles.

JUDGMENT

(Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to entrust the interim custody of the petitioner''s vehicle by branding name Mahindra Bolero (Maxi Truck) vehicle bearing Registration No.TN 20 CD 8420, seized in connection with FIR No.44 of 2023 on the file of of the 2nd respondent Police.)

1. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondents.

2. The petition mentioned vehicle was seized in connection with Crime No.44 of 2023 registered on the file of the 2nd respondent.

3. The petition mentioned vehicle is presently in the custody of the 2nd respondent. The vehicle is said to have been used for illegally transporting PDS rice.

4. It is of course open to the respondent authority to initiate confiscation proceedings. In this case we are concerned only with the issue of granting interim custody of the vehicle to the petitioner.

5. No purpose will be served in keeping the vehicle under the custody of the respondents. The Hon''ble Supreme Court in the decision reported in (2002) 10 SCC 283 (Sunderbhai Ambalal Desai and Others V. State of Gujarat) has held as follows:-

“17.In our view, whatever be the situation, it is of no use to keep such seized vehicles at the police stations for a long period. It is for the Magistrate to pass appropriate orders immediately by taking appropriate bond and guarantee as well as security for return of the said vehicles, if required at any point of time. This can be done pending hearing of applications for return of such vehicles.

6. Therefore, the 2nd respondent is directed to grant interim custody of the said vehicle to the petitioner subject to the following conditions:-

a) The petitioner shall pay a sum of Rs.7,500/- (Rupees Seven Thousand and Five Hundred only) towards cost in the bank account of Government Leprosy Home, Y.Pudhupatti, Madurai (Savings Account No.10111535878, IFSC Code : SBIN0002246 State Bank of India, Othakadai Branch, Madurai). It will be a non-refundable payment. The Trust shall utilise the said amount for the benefits of the inmates of the Madurai Home.

b) The petitioner shall not alienate or encumber the vehicle till the proceedings are completed.

c) The petitioner shall produce all the documents pertaining to the ownership of the seized vehicle. If the petitioner is an agreement holder, he can produce the relevant xerox copies.

d) As and when the respondents call for the vehicle for enquiry, the petitioner has to produce the vehicle in question and he shall cooperate with the enquiry to be conducted by the respondents.

7. Upon completion of these formalities, the respondents shall grant interim custody of the vehicle forthwith to the petitioner without any delay. If this undertaking given by the petitioner is breached, the petitioner will not be entitled to interim custody of the vehicle in future. The Writ Petition is allowed accordingly. I make it clear that allowing of this Writ Petition will not have any bearing on the confiscation proceedings that may be initiated by the authorities. There shall be no order as to costs.