Abhishek Kumar, son of Hari Prasad Jaiswal v. State of Jharkhand
2022-09-29
SANJAY KUMAR DWIVEDI
body2022
DigiLaw.ai
JUDGMENT : This petition has been filed for quashing of the revisional order dated 20.04.2022 passed by the learned Sessions Judge, Godda in Cr.Revision No.14 of 2022 whereby learned Sessions Judge, Godda, has refused to release the wine seized in connection with Godda (T) P.S.Case No.403 of 2021 and has affirmed the order dated 29.03.2022 passed by the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Godda, pending in the court of learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Godda. 2. On the basis of Fardbeyan of Mr. Manoj Kumar, Excise Sub-Inspector, Godda, the aforesaid case has been registered stating therein that on 27.12.2021 at about 09.00 P.M he along with the police party conducted raid and container bearing Registration No.UK-06CB-6517 was stopped and a search was made. In course of search, Star Blue Deluxe Whisky 750 ml of 250 cartoons, 375 ml. of 500 cartoons and 180 ml of 250 cartoons total 1000 cartoons found. In course of search documents of M/s Majestic Bonded Warehouse, Bandardeva, Arunachal Pradesh No.FL/ UB/ 2021 -2022/000003118P dated 16.11.2021 sent to M/s Binayak Distribution Private Limited 12-A Maharajpur Industrial Area, Behind Road, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, document regarding transportation of the alleged seized wine has been produced which shows that the transportation of alleged wine found to be suspected and it is alleged that seized wine is to be sold to smuggler/mafia. It further transpires from the record that a letter no.303 dated 28.12.2021 has been issued to Officer In-charge, Godda (T) Police Station, wherein it is alleged that the said container also violated the route of permit and the said container was caught near Godda (T) which scheduled route chart is as follows:- Gwalior (M.P.)-Daltonganj-Ranchi-Dhanbad-Asansol (W.B.) but the said container was found in Godda (T) which is about 180 KM far from the permit route. It is also alleged that according to letter of Excise Commissioner, Jharkhand, Ranchi, letter No.1954 dated 28.10.2021 it is necessary to furnish earlier information in the Head Office of the Excise, Ranchi with regard to any movement of wine/liquor for transportation for Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Arunachal Pradesh, but said early information has not been given in Excise Head Office Ranchi. It is also alleged that the accused persons were intended to unload the said liquor at Godda for further smuggling of the said liquor. Hence this case. 3. Mr.
It is also alleged that the accused persons were intended to unload the said liquor at Godda for further smuggling of the said liquor. Hence this case. 3. Mr. Mahesh Tewari, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is completely innocent and the petitioner is constituted special power of attorney holder of Miss Jomen Eshi and Mrs. Marpe Yonggam, proprietor of Joint venture under the name and style of M/s Majestic Bonded Warehouse Krsingsa, District Papumpare, Arunachal Pradesh. He further submitted that when the present case was instituted on 28.12.2021 and the transportation of liquor from its destination to Arunachal Pradesh till 31.12.2021 was exhausting. The wine was to be transported by Diamond Logistics Trader to the Consignee address vide truck bearing registration no.UK-06CB- 6517 dated 24.12.2021 with all relevant documents for transportation of the liquor from destination to Arunachal Pradesh till 31.12.2021. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Godda has rejected the petition filed for release of wine vide order dated 29.3.2022. He submitted that the licence of the seized wine was being carried by container was found to be genuine on verification. He submitted that the same has been observed by the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Godda. He submitted that the permit for exporting of foreign liquor by Madhya Pradesh Excise in favour of Binayak Distilleries Pvt. Ltd., Gwalior to be exported to the warehouse situated at M/s Majestic Bonded Warehouse Banderdown, Arunachal Pradesh effective and valid upto 31.12.2021. He submitted that since the route was violated that is why the learned Sessions Judge has rejected the revision petition considering that 180 KM far from the permit route the vehicle was seized. The learned Sessions Judge has also taken into consideration letter dated 28.10.2021 of the Excise Commissioner (Jharkhand) which speaks that it is necessary to furnish earlier information in the Head Office of Excise, Ranchi with regard to any movement of wine/liquor for transportation Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Arunachal Pradesh but that was not provided. The consignment was required to be reached to the destination till 31.12.2021. By letter dated 01.04.2022 a request has been made for extension of excise permit for one month for delivery of seized liquor to its destination place. On these grounds, he submitted that this Court may direct for release of the wine in question. 4. On the other hand, Mr.
By letter dated 01.04.2022 a request has been made for extension of excise permit for one month for delivery of seized liquor to its destination place. On these grounds, he submitted that this Court may direct for release of the wine in question. 4. On the other hand, Mr. Abhay Kumar Tiwari, the learned counsel appearing for the respondent State submitted that the petitioner has tried to mislead the Hon’ble Court. He submitted that the excise letter dated 28.12.2021 issued to the Officer Incharge, Godda (T) P.S. wherein it has been alleged that the container carrying the seized wine violated the route permit and the said container was caught near Godda Town P.S. about 180 KM far away from the route permit and on the basis of the statement of the local route guide Ranjit Kumar Mahto and Amir Khan who were boarded inside the container have disclosed in their statement under section 161 Cr.P.C that they had plans to unload the wine at village Paraspani and as per the confessional statement of Amir Khan his owner sells wine in Bihar and Jharkhand on the basis of forged document. 5. In view of the above facts and the submissions of the learned counsel appearing for the parties it transpires that the wine in question was being carried in the said container from Madhya Pradesh to Arunachal Pradesh and the license was effective till 31.12.2021.The containder route was violated the route permit and the said container was caught at Godda Town, however, the schedule route was Gwalior (M.P.)-Daltonganj- Ranchi- Dhanbad- Asansol (W.B.) but the said container was found in Godda Town which is 180 KM far away from permit route. The letter dated 28.10.2021 by the Excise Commissioner suggest that it is necessary to furnish earlier information in the Head Office of Excise with regard to any movement of wine /liquor for transportation Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Arunachal Pradesh but the said information was not given in the Excise Head Office. The two persons who were at the container have disclosed that they had plan to unload the said wine at Village Paraspani and they have also disclosed that Ranjit Kumar Mahto and Amir Khan that his owner sells wine in Bihar and Jharkhand on the basis of forged document.
The two persons who were at the container have disclosed that they had plan to unload the said wine at Village Paraspani and they have also disclosed that Ranjit Kumar Mahto and Amir Khan that his owner sells wine in Bihar and Jharkhand on the basis of forged document. Finding of the said container 180 KM away from the route permit and the two local persons found to be in the container suggest that the intention was not good. There is no illegality in the impugned order. 6. Taking into consideration the situation in its entirety and the stand of the prosecution, it will be fair and reasonable to direct for the sale of the seized liquor/wine by public auction. 7. It is directed that the seized liquor/wine shall be sold in an open auction by the concerned Excise Officer on a date to be fixed by him. 8. The petitioner shall be entitled to participate in that auction. 9. The reserve price for the said auction of the wine/liquor shall be fixed by the Excise Commissioner after taking into consideration the price of the liquor/wine at which it was available by the licensee in the destination district in Arunachal Pradesh after adding the Government Tax and other expenses. 10. The respondent State and the Excise Department shall take steps that if the license has already been expired to renew the same. 11. The amount so realized from the auction sale of the said liquor/wine shall be deposited in the form of Fixed Deposit with any Nationalized Bank by the learned concerned court at Godda. 12. The release of the said amount to the party concerned shall be by the ultimate order which may be passed by the competent court after taking into consideration the relevant provisions of the Cr.P.C and the applicable Excise Act in the State of Madhya Pradesh and State of Jharkhand, if so warranted on merits of the case. 13. Cr.M.P. No.1644 of 2022 stands disposed of in the above terms. 14. I.A. if any also stands disposed of.