PIL Case Details

This PIL raises concern over the ever - growing stock of seized vehicles and other properties in the various police stations in the State of Odisha which were causing encroachment on the public road adjoining the police stations and also turning to junk on account of neglect over several ye ars. The petitioner sought urgent directions due to the fact that despite the provisions in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Cr PC) and the decisions of the Court, including the Supreme Court of India, from time to time, the spirit of law has not been adhered to leading to an ] impossible situation where most police stations in Odisha were left with a large inventory of abandoned vehicles and other materials. In its judgment dated 31 st January, 2022, the Court stated that although in accordance with th e provisions of Section 457 Cr PC read with Section 452 Cr PC, some of the vehicles do get released during the pendency of the case, there were still a large number of vehicles which were awaiting disposal pursuant to the orders to be passed by the Courts. Thereafter, the court issued detailed directions regarding the same.