#Property Preservation

The Kerala High Court ruled that the registered owner of a seized vehicle must be granted interim custody to prevent irreversible damage from exposure to weather, affirming that property preservation is a legal duty under BNSS Section 528, irrespective of the alleged offense. This sets a critical precedent for owners of commercial assets caught in prolonged criminal investigations.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court ordered the release of a seized truck to its lawful owner pending trial, recognizing that prolonged police custody of heavy machinery risks irreversible depreciation. This ruling affirms that property preservation under Section 528 BNSS extends beyond mere ownership to include economic value protection, especially where fraud undermines title and trial delays are inevitable.