##PAGE1##

IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA AT HYDERABAD

THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE E.V.VENUGOPAL WRIT PETITION No.8786 of 2026

DATE OF ORDER: 25.03.2026

Between:

Bhukya Naresh

...Petitioner AND

The State of Telangana, rep. by its Principal Secretary, Revenue (Prohibition and Excise) Department, 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 action of respondents in seizing the vehicle of the petitioner i.e., Bajaj Ape Auto bearing No.TS-26T-6427 in relation to Cr.No.253 of 2025, dated 21.11.2025 on the file of the Maripeda Police Station, Mahabubabad District, as

Page 2 of 5

illegal and arbitrary. Consequently, direct the respondents to relase the subject vehicle forthwith and to grant such other relief as this Hon’ble court deems fit and proper in the circumstances of the

case....”

2. Heard Mr.Alluri Divakar Reddy, 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 seizing the petitioner’s vehicle, namely, Bajaj Ape Auto bearing No.TS-26T-6427, which was seized in Crime No.253 of 2025 on the file of the Maripeda Police Station, Mahabubabad District, for the alleged offence under Section 34(E) of the Telangana State Excise Act. 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 black

Page 3 of 5

jaggery and alum, 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 black jaggery and alum illegally for preparing ID Liquor. Accordingly, the vehicle was seized. 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 Crime No.253 of 2025 on the file of the Maripeda Police 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

Page 4 of 5

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., Bajaj Ape Auto bearing No.TS-26T-6427, which was seized in Crime No.253 of 2025 on the file of the Maripeda Police Station, Mahabubabad District, 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 satisfaction of respondent No.2 or