Dharmendra Kumar Tomar vs The State Of Madhya Pradesh on 21 April, 2025
It is succinctly observed [Madhukar
Rao v. State of M.P., 1999 SCC OnLine MP 322 : (2000) 1 MP LJ 289] in
para 18 : (Madhukar Rao case [Madhukar Rao v. State of M.P., 1999 SCC
OnLine MP 322 : (2000) 1 MP LJ 289] , SCC OnLine MP)
"18. ... If the argument on behalf of the State is accepted a
property seized on accusation would become the property of the State and
can never be released even on the compounding of the offence. The
provisions of clause (d) of Section 39 have to be reasonably and
harmoniously construed with other provisions of the Act and the Code
which together provide a detailed procedure for the trial of the offences. If,
as contended on behalf of the State, seizure of property merely on
accusation would make the property to be of the Government, it would
have the result of depriving an accused of his property without proof of his
guilt. On such interpretation clause (d) of Section 39(1) of the Act would
suffer from the vice of unconstitutionality. The interpretation placed by the
State would mean that a specified officer under the Act merely by seizure of
property of an accused would deprive him of his property which he might
be using for his trade, profession or occupation. This would be serious
encroachment on the fundamental right of a citizen under Article 19(1)(g)
of the Constitution to carry on his trade, occupation or business."