Interim custody of seized vehicle granted considering deterioration risk, subject to conditions, pending trial.

ORDER

This Criminal Revision Petition is filed to set aside the order of the learned District Munsif Cum Judicial Magistrate, Vilathikulam, in Crl MP No.114 of 2026 dated 26.03.2026 filed by the petitioner under Section 497 of BNSS of 2023.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the respondent filed an FIR in Crime No.25 of 2026 for an alleged offence under Sections 4(1)(c) of Tamil Nadu Prohibition (Amendment) Act, 2024 and Section 14A of Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act, 2024, for illegal transport of 26 liquor bottles in a TVS Radeon (Star light blue color) bike bearing registration No.TN 96 K 0882. Subsequently, the petitioner's vehicle was seized. Thereafter, the petitioner filed Crl MP No.114 of 2026 for the return of vehicle before the learned District Munsif Cum Judicial Magistrate, Vilathikulam, and the same was dismissed on 26.03.2026.

3. The petitioner preferred this Criminal Revision Petition as against the order dated 26.03.2026 made in Crl MP No.114 of 2026 on the file of the learned District Munsif Cum Judicial Magistrate, Vilathikulam, and to set aside the same.

4. Heard the learned counsels on either side and carefully perused the materials available on record.

5. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal side) appearing for the respondent submitted that if the vehicle is returned to the petitioner, there is possibility for the vehicle being used for the commission of similar offence and objected to grant interim custody of the vehicle to the petitioner.

6. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the vehicle bearing Registration No. TN 96 K 0882 is owned by the petitioner and he was not involved in any such offence as alleged by the respondent and if the vehicle is kept in open place, the vehicle will get deteriorated and the value of the vehicle would automatically stand diminished and therefore interim custody of the vehicle may be granted to the petitioner.

7. Considering the fact that if the vehicle is kept in open place exposing to sun and rain, the value of the vehicle will be deteriorated and that no purpose will be served in keeping the vehicle in custody, this Court is inclined to allow the revision thereby, setting aside the impugned order dated 26.03.2026 passed in Crl MP No.114 of 2026 by the learned District Munsif Cum Judicial Magistrate, Vilathikulam. 8. Accordingly, this Criminal Revision Case is allowed and the order dated 26.03.2026, passed in Crl MP No.114 of 2026 by the learned District Munsif Cum Judicial Magistrate, Vilathikulam, is hereby set aside and the vehicle viz., TVS Radeon (Star light blue color) bike bearing registration No.TN 96 K 0882, is ordered to be returned to the petitioner for interim custody subject to the confiscation proceedings to be taken by the concerned Department or by the Court on the following conditions:-

(a) The petitioner is directed to deposit a sum of Rs.15,000/-

(Rupees Fifteen Thousand only) as non-refundable deposit for the said vehicle to the credit of WAA Cornelia Sorabjee Lecture Series, A/C No.

6687756541, IFSC Code:IDIB000H040;

(b) The petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.20,000/-

(Rupees Twenty Thousand only), with two sureties for a likesum to the satisfaction of the learned District Munsif Cum Judicial Magistrate, Vilathikulam;

(c) The petitioner shall produce the original RC Book of the vehicle before the learned District Munsif Cum Judicial Magistrate, Vilathikulam. If the original RC Book is in the custody of the finance company, the petitioner shall produce a photocopy of the RC Book, along with an affidavit stating that the original is with the finance company and a letter from the finance company acknowledging such custody.

(d) The petitioner shall give an undertaking before the respondent/

authority concerned stating th