(Per: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJEEV RANJAN PRASAD)

Date : 24-12-2025 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned counsel for the State.

2. Petitioner in the present case is seeking to challenge the order of confiscation passed by the District Magistrate-cum-Collector, Darbhanga dated 05.05.2025 (Annexure-P/5) and the appellate order passed by Excise Commissioner, Darbhanga in Excise Appeal Case No. 149 of 2025 dated 15.10.2025 (Annexure-P/7) under the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act , 2016 (as amended up to date) and the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Rules , 2021 (as amended up to date).

3. By the impugned order, the vehicle in question has been ordered to be released from confiscation on payment of 50% of the insured value and 3% over and above the said amount, in favour of the petitioner. In the case of non- compliance with the order, the vehicle in question shall be confiscated.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is the owner of the vehicle, which he had leased out under a Vehicle Lease Agreement effective from 8th of December, 2024, 06:00 P.M. to one Mr./Ms. Shashank availing the platform provided by Zoomcar Host Services available on the we