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2025 Supreme(Online)(TEL) 3685

HIGH COURT OF TELANGANA
K. LAKSHMAN, J
Sri Rajesh Maddy – Appellant
Versus
CBI – Respondent
CRIMINAL PETITION Nos.10450 OF 2017 | 10915 | 10917 OF 2022



Advocates:
For the Appellants/Petitioners: Ms. Jayasree Narasimhan
For the Respondents: Sri Srinivasa Rao Kapatia

Interlocutory orders regarding interim custody of property do not determine final rights, thus challenging such orders under Section 482 is not maintainable.

Headnote:(A) Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 - Sections 451 and 457 - The court addressed petitions challenging orders denying interim custody of seized gold ornaments and bond proceeds linked to alleged crime. Petitioners argued these properties were not connected to crime proceeds. The trial court dismissed the petitions, citing the ongoing nature of the trial and unresolved issues regarding ownership. (Paras 10, 30, 46)

(B) Interlocutory Orders - The court emphasized that applications for interim custody are interlocutory in nature, thus the present petitions under Section 482 are not maintainable. (Paras 30, 48)

Facts of the case:
The petitioner (A.2) sought release of gold ornaments and bond proceeds, claiming they were personal property and unrelated to the ongoing criminal proceedings against him. The CBI contended that both properties were proceeds of crime related to ongoing investigations. (Paras 3-10)

Findings of Court:
The trial court held that the allegations against A.2 involved serious crimes and that the properties were subject to the determination at trial. Dismissed all three petitions filed by the family members of A.2. (Paras 10, 34, 48)

Issues: Whether the properties sought for interim custody are liable for confiscation as crime proceeds and the suitable action for their return during ongoing proceedings. (Paras 10, 34)

Ratio Decidendi: The court established that the orders made by the trial court were interlocutory, thus the remedies under Section 482 for extraordinary situations do not apply; the final rights would be determined at the conclusion of the trial. (Paras 28, 48)

Result: Criminal petitions dismissed.

Table of Content
1. factual background of the case including petitioner details. (Para 4 , 6)
2. petitioners' arguments regarding ownership and necessity. (Para 7 , 8 , 10)
3. court's observations on maintainability of petitions. (Para 12 , 22 , 30 , 48)
4. legal standards for interlocutory orders and custody laws. (Para 15 , 19 , 26 , 36)
5. conclusion and dismissal of criminal petitions. (Para 49)

COMMON ORDER

Heard Ms. Jayasree Narasimhan, learned counsel representing Sri Rajesh Maddy, learned counsel for the petitioners and Sri Srinivasa Rao Kapatia, learned Special Public Prosecutor for CBI.

2-a) Crl.P.No. 10450 of 2017 is filed under Section 482 of CrPC by the petitioner/accused No.2 (A.2) in C.C.No.1 of 2016 challenging the order dated 25.10.2016 passed in Crl.M.P.No.1660 of 2016 in C.C.No.1 of 2012 in R.C.No.17(A) of 2009-CBI/Hyderabad, by the Principal Special Judge for CBI Cases, Hyderabad, and to set aside the same.

2-b) Crl.P.No. 10915 of 2022 is filed by the petitioner, daughter of A.2, challenging the order dated 05.09.2022 passed in Crl.M.P.No.2379 of 2022 in the said C.C.No.1 of 2012 and to set aside the same.

2-c) Crl.P.No. 10917 of 2022 is filed by the petitioner, son of A.2, challenging the order dated 05.09.2022 passed in Crl.M.P.No.2381 of 2022 in the said C.C.No.1 of 2012.

3-a) Crl.M.P.No.1660 of 2016 was filed by A.2 under Sections 451 and 457 of CrPC , to grant interim custody of 105 items of gold ornaments, seized from his residence.

3-b) Crl.M.P.No.2379 of 2022 was filed by the daughter of A.2 1660 of 2016 under Sections 451 and 457 of CrPC , to direct the respondent No.1/CBI to release the proceeds pertaining to Bond Ledger Account bearing No.TBSHC540202657, which matured on 03.04.2012 to her.

3-c) Crl.M.P.No.2381 of 2022 is filed by son of A.2 under Sections 451 and 457 of CrPC , to direct the respondent No.1/CBI to release the proceeds pertaining to Bond Ledger Account No.TBSHC 540202656 which matured on 03.04.2012 to him.

4. The said petitions were dismissed by the trial Court vide separate orders. Challenging the said orders, the petitioners filed the present criminal petitions.

5. Since the parties are common and the lis involved in these Criminal Petitions is one and the same, these three Criminal Petitions are being heard together and disposed of by way of common order:

6. The offences alleged against A.2 are under Sections 120-B, 379, 409, 411, 420, 427, 447, 468 IPC and under Sections 13(2) read with 13(1)(d) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (for short, ‘the PC Act’).

7. Petitioners filed the aforesaid Crl.M.Ps before the trial Court contending as follows:-

i. A.2 was arrested on 05.09.2011.

ii. At the time of his arrest, respondent/CBI seized various immovable properties inclusive 105 items of gold ornaments, having net weight of 53789.900 grams and cash of Rs.2,94,48, 500/- found at his residential premises. The aforesaid bonds were purchased by A.2 in the name of his son and daughter, the petitioners in Crl.P.Nos.10915 of 2017 and 10917 of 2022. Since they were minors, the said bonds were in the custody of A.2.

iii. The said 105 items of gold ornaments and cash are mentioned at Sl.Nos.90 of Form No.16. Originally list of properties sent to learned Magistrate annexed to the charge sheet.

iv. The petitioner/A.2 and his family members are the absolute and exclusive owners of the said gold ornaments and money seized. The said property is absolutely nothing to do with the case property. v. The CBI after thorough investigation has alleged that crime proceeds are valued at 884.13 Crores. The Enforcement Directorate after thorough enquiry in ECIR/83/BZ/2010, dated 29.09.2010 in respect of the said crime, vide provisional attachment orders No.08/2012 dated 04.12.2012 has already attached properties in the form of shares of M/s Brahmani Industries.

vi. The ED did not attach the seized gold ornaments and cash mentioned in paragraph No.2 which clarifies that those items are nothing to do with the alleged crime.

vii.

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