IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA AT HYDERABAD THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE E.V.VENUGOPAL WRIT PETITION No.8876 of 2026 DATE OF ORDER: 25.03.2026 Between:

G.Yakalakshmi ...Petitioner AND The State of Telangana, rep. by its Principal Secretary to the Excise Department, Dr.B.R.Ambedkar Telangana Secretariat, Hyderabad and two others ...Respondents

ORDER :

This Writ Petition, under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, is filed seeking the following relief:

“…to issue an order or direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the inaction of respondent No.2 to release the petitioner’s vehicle bearing No.TG-26A-5794 in COR No.98 of 2026, dated 16.02.2026 seized of petitioner’s vehicle was being illegal, arbitrary and unjust. Consequently, direct respondent No.2 to release the vehicle of the petitioner forthwith and to grant such other relief as this Honble court deems fit and proper in the circumstances of the case....”

2. Heard Mr.Laxmaiah Kanchani, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Mr. Arun Kumar, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Prohibition and Excise, for respondent Nos.1 to 3 and perused the record.

3. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the present Writ Petition is filed challenging the action of the respondent- authorities in not releasing the petitioner’s vehicle, namely PULSAR 125 DTS-I BS-VI Bike, bearing Registration No.TG-26A-5794, which was seized in COR No.98 of 2026, dated 16.02.2026 on the file of Thorrur Prohibition and Excise Station, Mahabubabad District, for the alleged offence under Section 7(a) read with Section 8(e) of the Telangana Prohibition Act, 1995. The continued detention of the vehicle, despite the petitioner’s readiness to furnish third-party surety, is illegal, arbitrary and unjust.

4. It is submitted that the petitioner is the absolute owner of the above-mentioned vehicle, having purchased it with financial assistance from a private finance company. The petitioner is still liable to pay the monthly installments to the said finance company. Respondent No.3- police registered the above crime alleging illegal transportation of 3 bottles of ID liquor, each bottle containing 2 liters of ID liquor, in total 6 liters, said to have been seized under a confession and seizure panchanama. Despite repeated requests, the respondent authorities have not released the seized vehicle. Aggrieved by the same, the present writ petition is filed.

5. Learned Assistant Government Pleader for Prohibition and Excise would submit that the vehicle was seized by respondent No.3 after it was intercepted while transporting ID liquor illegally. Accordingly, the vehicle was seized and samples were sent to the laboratory for analysis. The petitioner’s case is still under investigation, and at this stage, release of the vehicle is not warranted as it constitutes case property. However, the petitioner has every opportunity to file an appropriate application seeking release of the seized vehicle in accordance with law.

6. In light of the aforesaid facts and circumstances of the case, and upon perusal of the material available on record, it is noticed that the petitioner is not arrayed as an accused in COR No.98 of 2026, dated

16.02.2026 on the file of Thorrur Prohibition and Excise Station, Mahabubabad District. Further, the vehicle registration documents reflect the petitioner as the registered owner. Considering that considerable time may be taken for filing of the final report, continued retention of the vehicle is likely to result in deterioration of its condition and functionality. Therefore, this Court deems it appropriate to direct the respondent- authorities to release the vehicle i.e., two-wheeler vehicle PULSAR 125 DTS-I BS-VI Bike, bearing Registration No.TG-26A-5794 upon proper verification of ownership and upon the petitioner furnishing a personal bond for Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) with one surety for a like sum, to the