custody of the respondent police, within the station limits, pending investigation.

4. In the objection filed to Crl.M.P.No.314 of 2024, the prosecution contended, in substance, that the subject vehicle was involved in the NDPS offence and is liable for confiscation under the NDPS Act. The investigation is still pending. The petition seeking interim custody is not maintainable. If the vehicle is released to the petitioner at this stage, he may not produce it in future, thereby hampering the prosecution and any confiscation proceedings. On these premises, the prosecution opposed interim release.

Case of the Petitioner:

5. The petitioner’s case, as set out in Crl.M.P.No.314 of 2024 and reiterated in this revision, may be summarised as follows:

He is the registered owner of the subject vehicle seized in Crime No.296 of 2023. The registration certificate and allied documents stand in his name. He asserts that, while his vehicle may have been seized in connection with the alleged incident, he has not been arrayed as an accused, and there is no material to show that he had knowledge of, or connivance in, any use of the vehicle for transporting contraband. He contends that the vehicle is a v