HC slaps Rs2L cost on state for illegal seizure of ethanol tanker
2
Patna: In a scathing indictment of "
police high-handedness
" under Bihar's liquor prohibition law, the Patna high court has imposed an exemplary cost of Rs 2 lakh on the state govt for the unlawful seizure of a tanker transporting 40,000 litres of industrial ethanol. The court directed that the amount be recovered from the erring police personnel within six months and also ordered the immediate release of the seized tanker.
The division bench of Justices P B Bajanthri and Alok Kumar Sinha, while allowing a writ petition filed by a Uttar Pradesh-based transport firm, observed, "Such misuse of power has eroded public confidence in law-enforcing agencies in Bihar and has also weakened the rule of law." The judgment was made public via the high court's official website on April 25.
Senior counsel Satyabir Bharti, representing the petitioner, informed the court that his client, engaged in the logistics business, owns a tanker bearing registration number UP-15-FT3741. The tanker had been assigned to transport 40,000 litres of ethanol, an industrial-grade alcohol unfit for human consumption, to the Indian Oil depot at Barauni in Begusarai district. The ethanol was intended for blending with petroleum and its transportation is legally sanctioned by the central govt.
On Dec 2 last year, the tanker was loaded at a distillery plant and was on way to Barauni. It was digitally sealed and carried all requisite documentation, fully compliant with instructions issued by the state's excise department. Despite this, it was intercepted near Phulwariya police station, just 12km from its destination, and seized by local police and excise officers.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Fully Loaded 4BHK - Last Call, Only 9 Units Left!
ATS Triumph, Gurgaon
Book Now
Counsel Bharti demonstrated to the court that the seizure was made without any supporting evidence, solely based on the assumption that the ethanol might be diverted for manufacturing liquor, which is prohibited in Bihar. Crucially, there was no indication of tampering with the digital lock.
The bench described the incident as a "classic case of police high-handedness and arbitrary action", which had infringed upon the constitutional rights of a citizen. It directed that half the cost, Rs 1 lakh, be paid to the petitioner with the remaining amount to be deposited in the Lawyers' Association Welfare Benevolent Fund at Indian Bank, LNMI branch, Bailey Road, within eight weeks.
The court further ordered disciplinary action against the officials responsible and reiterated that the full cost amount must be recovered from them within six months.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
Forensic tests confirm peacock deaths in Karnataka caused by fungicide
Bengaluru: A week after the mysterious death of 20 peacocks near a farm in Tumakuru's Madhugiri taluk, forensic tests confirmed the national birds were poisoned. Toxicological analysis of visceral samples collected from the carcasses detected traces of a lethal fungicide, forest officials revealed. On Aug 3, three male and 17 female peacocks were found dead near the outlet of a lake abutting a farm at Hanumanthapura in Midigeshi hobli, around 120km from Bengaluru. This was the third incident of wildlife poisoning reported from Karnataka in less than a month, sparking widespread concern and criticism. "There were no external injuries or wounds on the carcasses. All internal organs were intact, but toxicological examination confirmed the presence of poison in their liver samples," said a senior forest official from Tumakuru division. According to officials, diphenyl metalaxyl, a fungicide commonly used in agriculture and horticulture, was found in the samples. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Gold Rates Today in Bengaluru | Silver Rates Today in Bengaluru "It isn't clear whether the birds ingested the chemical through seeds or contaminated water. Farmers often treat seeds with fungicides prior to sowing during the kharif season. The field, where the carcasses were found, was sown with maize. We are verifying whether the birds consumed treated seeds or drank water that got contaminated when farmers washed pesticide containers," another forest official said, adding experts have been roped in to study the maize seed samples. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo They are now investigating whether the incident was accidental or deliberate. Notices have been issued to agriculture and horticulture officials, farm owners, and panchayat representatives for inquiry. The incident has rekindled debate over the rapidly increasing peafowl population in Karnataka. The State of India's Birds report released in 2023 highlighted a 491% increase in peafowl numbers across the state over the past 30 years. This has raised concerns among farmers and conservationists as peafowl frequently raid agricultural and horticultural fields. "Peacocks can have both positive and negative impacts on agriculture. But lately, the damage — eating grains, fruits, and vegetables or newly sown seeds, and trampling young plants while foraging — has outweighed their benefits of pest control," said a conservationist from Shivamogga. "Since peafowl are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, farmers have no option but to approach forest officials. The govt should consider crop losses caused by peafowl under wildlife damage and extend compensation to affected farmers," he added. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes ,, messages , and quotes !
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
Arrested in June for ruckus on flight, Bengaluru doctor held for abusing traffic police
Bengaluru: A 37-year-old Ayurveda doctor and her staffer-friend were arrested by Yelahanka New Town police Thursday evening for abusing traffic police officers and threatening them. The arrested individuals are Dr Vyas Hiral Mohanbhai, a resident of Shivanahalli near Yelahanka, and Mohammed Sarbaz, in his 30s. Both the accused were produced before the magistrate Thursday night and remanded in judicial custody. V yas had, on June 17, created a ruckus and allegedly threatened to crash a plane while she was flying to Surat from Bengaluru on an Air India aircraft. The incident had led to her arrest. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Gold Rates Today in Bengaluru | Silver Rates Today in Bengaluru On Thursday, Sarbaz got into a dispute with traffic police over parking his motorcycle in a no-parking zone near Seshadripuram College in Yelahanka. He refused to pay the fine and started hurling abuses at the traffic cops, police said. He called Vyas on the phone and she arrived at the spot on her scooter. She initially asked Sarbaz to leave the place by taking her scooter. However, police stopped him and asked him to pay the fine before leaving. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indonesia: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo At this moment, Vyas allegedly started insulting traffic police and made obscene gestures. She also abused the ASIs and obstructed their duty. Hoysala police, who were at the spot, detained both Vyas and Sarbaz and took them to the station and seized their vehicles. A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 75 (sexual harassment), 79 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), and 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace). Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes ,, messages , and quotes !
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
Driver imprisoned till natural death for raping minor in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: A special court for Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act cases has found a 26-year-old man guilty of raping a minor girl. He has been sentenced to life imprisonment and fined Rs 25,000. MC Raghu of Nyanappanahalli, a driver, was arrested by Hulimavu police in 2023 after the 14-year-old survivor filed a complaint against him. According to the complainant, Raghu repeatedly raped her between Nov 2022 and March 2023. Public prosecutor Geeta Ramakrishna Gorawar said the survivor conceived and delivered a child on Sept 28, 2023. "None of the survivor's family members had any idea about the incident. The girl was taken to hospital after she complained of stomach pain, and doctors found that she was pregnant," she said. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Gold Rates Today in Bengaluru | Silver Rates Today in Bengaluru Police arrested Raghu as soon as the girl lodged a complaint on Sept 20, 2023. He was lodged in the judicial custody of Bengaluru Central Prison after his bail petitions were rejected. Passing the conviction order, special judge S Mahesh observed, "For the offence punishable under Pocso Act , the convict is sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for life, which shall mean imprisonment for his natural life, and shall pay a fine of Rs 25,000. In case of default of payment of fine, the convict shall further undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of six months." Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes ,, messages , and quotes !
