Mahebub Sulemanbhai Sumra vs State Of Gujarat on 26 July, 2021
4. Learned Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent-State
vehemently contended that the muddamal vehicle was involved in the offence
under the Act and that in view of the embargo contemplated under the
provisions of section 98 of the Act, the Courts below are not empowered to
release the muddamal vehicle. Reliance has been placed on the judgment of
this Court (Coram : J.B. Pardiwala, J.) in the case of Pareshkumar Jaykarbhai
Brahmbhatt v. State of Gujarat rendered in Special Criminal Application
No.8521 of 2017 decided on 15.12.2017, wherein it has been held that the
Courts below have no jurisdiction to hand over custody of the muddamal
vehicle in view of the embargo under section 98 of the Act. It was submitted
that a petition being S.L.P. (Cri.) No. 886 of 2018 is pending before the Apex
Court in respect of the said issue and therefore, no powers may be exercised
by this Court by releasing the muddamal vehicle seized by the police in
connection with an offence under the Act. It was, however, urged that the
powers of this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution to order release of
the vehicle can be exercised at any time whenever the Court deems it
appropriate. It was, accordingly, urged that the present petition may not be
entertained.