Penalty for vehicle release under Prohibition Act must consider quantity of intoxicant and avoid unauthorized additional levies.

The petitioner, owner of a KIYA CARENS vehicle, challenged an order dated 01.11.2025 passed by the District Magistrate, Kaimur.

On 10.10.2025, prohibition officials intercepted the vehicle and recovered 3.5 litres of illicit liquor from under a seat while five persons, including the petitioner’s husband, were traveling in it.

The District Magistrate directed the release of the vehicle subject to a penalty of Rs. 4,97,532/- (50% of insured value) plus an additional 3% deposit (Rs. 14,926/-) into the Bihar State Beverages Corporation Limited (BSBCL) account.

The petitioner contended the penalty was exorbitant given the meager quantity of liquor seized and her lack of involvement or criminal history.

1. Whether the District Magistrate properly considered the statutory factors, such as the quantity of intoxicant and involvement of the owner, while fixing the penalty under Rule 12A.

2. Whether the confiscating authority has the legal power to impose an additional 3% penalty over and above the amount sanctioned by the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act.

The Court applied Rule 12A(2) of the Bihar Prohibition and Excise (Amendment) Rules, 2023, which mandates that while imposing a penalty (between 10% of insured value and Rs. 5 lakhs), the authority must have "due regard to the quantity of intoxicant recovered" and the "involvement of the vehicle owner".

It further referenced Rule 12A(4) of the 2022 Rules regarding the individual’s economic status.

The Court relied on Rakesh Kumar Singh v. State of Bihar (CWJC No. 14928 of 2025) to hold that onerous penalties without evidence of regular illicit use constitute extreme hardship.

Shantanu Kumar v. State of Bihar (CWJC No. 18561 of 2025) to affirm that authorities cannot impose additional levies (like the 3% BSBCL fee) not sanctioned by law.

The Court found that the District Magistrate failed to account for the "meager quantity" of 3.5 litres of liquor and the fact that the petitioner/owner was not in the vehicle during the seizure.

Applying the principle from Rakesh Kumar Singh, the Court reasoned that imposing a near-maximum penalty (approx. Rs. 5 lakhs) for a minor violation was "exorbitant and unreasonable".

Regarding the 3% additional charge, the Court analyzed the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016, and concluded that the statute does not authorize any penalty beyond the fine itself; thus, directing payment to a government company (BSBCL) constituted "undue enrichment" and was "wholly unjust".

It held that a sum of Rs. 5,000/- was a reasonable penalty given the facts.

The Court directed the release of the vehicle within one week of the petitioner depositing Rs. 5,000/- and producing ownership documents.