ORDER

This writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondent police to release the petitioner’s vehicle, which was seized in connection with Crime No.417 of 2024, on the file of the Inspector of Police, Devathanapatti Police Station, Theni, registered under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (“NDPS Act”).

2. The facts of the case is that on 21.02.2024, at around 07:00 am, during a routine vehicle check conducted at Patla Untunda to Pery Quella Main Road by the respondent police, in coordination with the revenue officials, a vehicle bearing Registration No.KL-02-AR-9831 was intercepted on suspicion. Upon inspection, five packets of Ganja weighing approximately 26.562 kilograms were found concealed inside the said vehicle. Following the procedures as mandated under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 , the respondent police seized the contraband substance along with other incriminating materials, including the vehicle in question.

3. According to the petitioner, he is the registered owner of the vehicle in question and the vehicle was lent by him to a friend, who, without his knowledge or consent, subsequen