Case Law Details
Jodhraj Mohanlal Vs Senior Joint Commissioner (Calcutta High Court)
Introduction: The Calcutta High Court recently resolved a writ application by directing the release of a tea consignment worth Rs. 74,586 that had been detained by authorities due to a dispute regarding a suspected bogus E-Way bill. The consignment was caught in a mix-up involving smuggled poppy seeds mislabeled as Ramdana seeds.
Analysis: The petitioner had booked a consignment of 20 kg Soongachi tea to be delivered from Bajaj Parivahan Pvt. Ltd. to the Sikkim Tea Agency in Delhi. Unfortunately, the vehicle carrying the consignment, along with goods from other consignors, was detained due to a smuggling suspicion tied to another consignment of poppy seeds mislabeled as Ramdana seeds. The authorities had not found any link between the petitioner and the smuggled poppy seeds, and the petitioner was granted permission to have the tea consignment released given its perishable nature.
The court acknowledged the complexity of the case, given the simultaneous transportation of multiple consignments and the detection of a smuggling operation. Nevertheless, it found no reason to delay the release of the petitioner’s tea consignment, especially considering the perishable nature of tea. This ruling underlines the court’s practical approach and the need for fairness even amidst complex investigations.
Conclusion: The Calcutta High Court’s decision provides an insightful precedent on the need to ensure the rights and interests of innocent parties are protected in the midst of smuggling investigations. The decision emphasizes the need for fairness and efficiency, particularly in cases involving perishable goods. However, it also underlines the right and necessity of authorities to continue with their investigations regarding illegal activities.
FULL TEXT OF THE JUDGMENT/ORDER OF CALCUTTA HIGH COURT
The petitioner has filed the present writ application praying for a direction upon the respondent authorities for release of the detained goods of value of Rs. 74,586/- vide Invoice No. JMS/090/22- 23 dated 12.1.2023 to the petitioner.
Mr. Vinay Shraff, learned Advocate representing the petitioner submits that the petitioner had booked a consignment of 20 kg Soongachi tea value of Rs. 74,586/- through the transporter Bajaj Parivahan Pvt. Ltd. to be delivered to Sikkim Tea Agency at Delhi. The transporter generated E-way bill o. 801280351778 along with consolidated e-way bill generated by the transporter and the vehicle was carrying goods of several other consignors along with the goods of the petitioner. On 18th January, 2023 the respondent no. 3 detained the goods and vehicle. On 16th February, 2023, the petitioner had requested the respondent no. 1 to release his goods. On 2nd March, 2023, the petitioner received a memo from respondent no. 2 and informed that the respondent no. 4 had requested to hand over all goods and documents regarding the vehicle and the cargo found in the vehicle. Now, the petitioner has filed the present writ application. The respondent no. 4, i.e. the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence had filed affidavit-in-opposition wherein it is stated that during enquiry it was ascertained from the transporter that the poppy seeds were booked in the name of Ramdana seeds by a person of Nepal under invoice and E-way Bill of the firm named M/s. Jiyarul Trading of Deshbandhupara, Falakata, District- Alipurduar. The goods were delivered to their godown for onward delivery at Delhi. In the statement the authorized signatory informed that they were completely unaware of the fact that the poppy seeds were being sent in the name of Ramdana seeds and none of the consignors of tea were aware of the fact that the consignment declared to be Ramdana seeds were loaded in the vehicle. In the said affidavit it is further mentioned that preliminary investigation points to the facts that poppy seeds have been smuggled from Nepal and a bogus invoice declaring the goods as Ramdana has been used to show the goods as bona fide. Further, the Bureau of Investigation authorities have intimated that the supplies has been found to be nonexistent. It is further mentioned in the affidavit that the tea is perishable in nature and no involvement of the supplier of the tea with the smuggled poppy seeds have been ascertained and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has no objection, if the consignment of the petitioner is released.
Learned Counsel for the respondent no. 4 submits that on receipt of the information, the respondent no. 4 has requested the State Authorities for inspection of the seized property and, accordingly, during the investigation it has not been ascertained as to whether poppy seeds are the smuggled items or not. The vehicle is carrying the tea consignment which is perishable in nature and, as such, they have no objection for release of the vehicle and the tea consignment.
Learned Counsel for the respondent no. 4 further submits that as the consignment has been seized by the State authority and, as such, the State authorities have to take appropriate steps with regard to the poppy seeds.
Mr. Ghosh, learned Advocate appearing for the State Authorities submits that as poppy seeds have been found in the vehicle and further investigation is to be carried out with regard to the ownership of the poppy seeds and, as such, if the tea is released in favour of the petitioner, the authorities may be given liberty to take appropriate steps for further investigation to ascertain with regard to the poppy seeds.
Considered the submissions made by the Counsel for the respective parties, this Court finds that no purpose would be served by keeping the writ petition pending. Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of by directing the respondent no. 3 to take appropriate steps for release of the tea consignment in favour of the petitioner in accordance with law if there is no impediment for release tea consignment within a period of one week from the date of receipt of the copy of the order subject to furnishing an undertaking before the authority, as and when, if required, the petitioner will appear before the authority for enquiry/investigation.
It is made clear that the authorities, i.e. the State Authorities as well as respondent no.4 shall be at liberty to carry out further investigation with regard to the poppy seeds and it is found with regard to illegal transportation of the poppy seeds, the authorities are free to take appropriate steps in accordance with law.
WPA No. 580 of 2023 is thus disposed of.
