HC to govt: Frame policy for release of seized vehicles

Cuttack: The Orissa high court has asked the state government to frame a policy for decongestion of police stations with an increasing number of seized vehicles remaining parked in open spaces on their campuses for years.
The recommendation came on Tuesday while considering a vehicle seizure in connection with an NDPS Act case. It has been lying at Phiringia police station in Phulbani district for over four years.The state government submitted that because of some legal mandates, the authorities are constrained not to release the seized vehicles.
The single-judge bench of Justice S K Panigrahi said, “This court generally observes that most of the vehicles seized by the police personnel/excise department/forest department are parked in open space with direct exposure to sunlight and rain. The seized vehicles also remain inoperative for a long time rendering the said seized vehicle (to) faster wear and tear.”
In such a situation, Justice Panigrahi expected the transport authorities to take some decision on the issue so the condition of the seized vehicles, which are in direct exposure to sunlight and rain, would not deteriorate.
“The transport commissioner shall explore the possibility of framing a policy on this issue after consultation with the stakeholders. So that the wear and tear can be avoided and the perennial problem of crowding of vehicles in front of the police station, excise office and forest office can be lessened,” Justice Panigrahi said in his order.
“The transport commissioner is also directed to explore such possibility of decongesting the police station/excise office/forest office in the state and file an affidavit proposing option of relaxation in rules/statutes and some amendments relating to this issue,” Justice Panigrahi said.
“The state government will make serious endeavour to frame a policy on the aforementioned issue so that the vehicles can be released on some stringent terms and conditions in favour of the real owners,” he added.