S.457 CrPC | Registration Certificate Alone Not Sole Factor For Interim Release Of Seized Vehicles: Supreme Court

What is this case about?

The case involves a dispute over interim custody of seized vehicles between the appellant, Krishnan Narayana (director of M/s Pure Minerals), and the respondent, State of Andhra Pradesh and M/s Earth Stein Private Limited (respondent company), concerning whether registration certificates alone determine interim release of seized vehicles under Section 457 CrPC.

Who it concerns

Appellant: Krishnan Narayana; Respondent: State of Andhra Pradesh and M/s Earth Stein Private Limited; Bench: Augustine George Masih, J.

What the Court ordered

• The Court held that registration certificate alone is not the sole factor for interim release of seized vehicles under Section 457 CrPC.
• The High Court's order granting interim custody to the respondent company was erroneous.
• The Court emphasized that the Court has discretion to determine interim custody based on possession, undertaking, and settled use, not merely registration certificates.
• The Court noted that the vehicles were seized from the respondent company's operational site under an express undertaking and admitted course of dealings.