India, Nov. 11 -- The Orissa High Court has ruled that finding illicit liquor inside a vehicle does not automatically justify its confiscation. The court held that excise authorities must independently prove the owner was involved before taking away private property.

Justice Sashikanta Mishra passed the ruling while hearing a plea by Umesh Patra. Patra had challenged the confiscation of his Maruti Suzuki Celerio by Excise officials in Mayurbhanj district. Enforcement staff had stopped the vehicle near Gohira Bridge under the Jamda police station limits. Officials found 68 bottles containing about 51 litres of non-duty-paid, Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL) inside the car's boot.

Patra explained that the bags belonged to a co-passenger ...