#Conveyance Confiscation

The Bombay High Court has ruled that mere ownership of a vehicle seized under the NDPS Act does not entitle the owner to its release. To reclaim the conveyance, the owner must affirmatively demonstrate they had no knowledge of or involvement in its use for narcotic transportation, reinforcing the statutory burden under Section 60(3). This sets a critical precedent for property owners facing confiscation in drug-related cases across Maharashtra.

The Customs Appellate Tribunal holds that penalty under Section 117 of the Customs Act cannot be imposed without proof of the owner's knowledge of vehicle use in smuggling.