IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD (Special Original Jurisdiction) TUESDAY, THE SEVENTEENTH DAY OF NOVEMBER TWO THOUSAND AND NINE PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE GOPALA KRISHNA TAMADA WRIT PETITION NO : 24842 of 2009 Between: S.Srinivasa Rao. .. PETITIONER AND The Deputy Commissioner of Prohibition & Excise, Khammam District, Khammam and another. .....RESPONDENTS ORDER: The petitioner is the owner of auto bearing No.AP-20Y-3455 and when the driver of the auto was transporting some passengers, the Excise Officials intercepted the same and found 60 liters of I.D.liquor in the said auto. The matter was reported to the first respondent-Deputy Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise, Khammam District and seized the contraband. Hence, the petitioner approached this Court and filed the present writ petition. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader for Civil Supplies. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is eaking out his livelihood by hiring the said vehicle. He further submitted that the petitioner has nothing to do with the said transport and even, the driver of the auto is not aware of the fact that the passengers are carrying I.D.liquor. But, however, the vehicle is seized on the ground that the driver of the auto is having knowledge about the said I.D.liquor. As the petitioner agreed to deposit the title deeds of third parties, the first respondent is hereby directed to value the vehicle and release the same on accepting the title deeds equivalent to the said value. The petitioner is hereby directed not to alienate the said vehicle during the pendency of the said enquiry and produce the same as and when required. Accordingly, the Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. __________________________ GOPALA KRISHNA TAMADA, J Date:17.11.2009 Note: Issue CC by tomorrow. (Bo) SJ