By Alok Mohit
Patna: In a scathing observation, the Patna High Court has directed the Principal Secretary, Department of Registration and Excise, Bihar, to initiate criminal proceedings and a departmental inquiry against officials involved in undervaluing and auctioning a seized truck at a drastically low price.
A division bench of Justice PB Bajanthri and Justice Alok Kumar Sinha also directed the Bihar government to deposit Rs. 21 lakh—the valuation of the seized vehicle made by an insurance company– in court within eight weeks.
While hearing the petition of Sharad Navnath Gange from Beed in Maharashtra, the court noted glaring lapses in the valuation and auction process. Despite the vehicle being insured by Reliance General Insurance for ₹21 lakh, the officials concerned valued and auctioned it for a mere Rs 2 lakh. The insurance policy, valid from January 19, 2022, to January 18, 2023, proved the actual worth of the vehicle.
The petitioner had challenged the seizure and subsequent auction of his truck, which was confiscated on December 26, 2022, under the Excise Act.
The court expressed dismay over the failure of the authorities concerned to notify the petitioner, a resident of Maharashtra, about the confiscation and auction. Instead of serving a personal notice, the authorities only published the auction notice in a local newspaper circulated in Bihar, depriving the petitioner of a fair opportunity to claim his property, the court observed.
The court also pointed to severe lapses by the Excise and Revenue officials and said the authorities concerned failed to verify ownership details from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) where the vehicle was registered in Thane, Mumbai. The officials only contacted the Vaishali district RTO in Bihar, which predictably did not possess the required information, the court said.
Expressing strong displeasure, the court directed the Principal Secretary, Department of Registration and Excise, Bihar, to register a criminal case against the erring officials, initiate a departmental inquiry and frame charges against those responsible for undervaluing the vehicle, causing a loss of Rs 19 lakhs to the state exchequer. It emphasized that every public servant was a trustee of society and must exhibit honesty, integrity, and transparency in public administration. The court reiterated that the officials involved had betrayed public trust and failed in their constitutional duty.
- The author Alok Mohit is former senior News Editor of Hindustan Times Patna and Hindustan Times, Chandigarh editions.
