Vehicle involved in crime cannot be returned to owner when confiscation proceedings are pending

Friends Brothers Enterprises Pvt. Ltd Vs State rep. by the Inspector of Police (Madras High Court) The petitioner is the lawful owner of the vehicle, being KIA CARNIVAL car bearing registration No.TN 87 D 7000, which was seized for involvement in an offence under Section 4(1)(aaa), 4(1-A) of Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act in Crime No.1138 of 2021 and was duly produced before the learned Judicial Magistrate, Sriperumbudur. Thereafter, the petitioner moved an application in Crl.M.P.No.177 of 2022 for interim custody of the vehicle which is dismissed by the order, dated 25.02.2022 on the ground that ...