1 2025:CGHC:54709 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR CRMP No. 3048 of 2025 1 - Ishwar Sahu S/o Dilharan Sahu Aged About 23 Years R/o Azad Ward, Sargaon, P.S. Sargaon District- Mungeli ( C.G. ). ... Petitioner(s) versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through- Exice Circle Nawagarh District- Bemetara ( C.G. ). 2 - The Collector Of Bemetara District- Bemetara ( C.G. ). ... Respondent(s) For Petitioner(s) : Ms. Anushree Mishra, Advocate For Respondent/State : Shri Sanjeev Pandey, Dy.AG (Hon’ble Shri Justice Arvind Kumar Verma) Order on Board 10/11/2025 The present petition has be preferred by the petitioner seeking a direction to the respondent authorities for deciding the application filed under Section 497 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for release of the vehicle Maruti Suzuki Eco Car bearing Registration No. 2 CG-10 BD-2714. 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the said vehicle was seized in connection with Crime No. 14/2024 registered at Excise Circle Nawagarh, District Bemetara for the offences punishable under Sections 34(2), 36,43,49(A) and 59 (A) of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act, 1915. It is submitted that though the petitioner was granted bail by this Court, his application under Section 497 of the BNSS,2023 for release of the vehicle has not been decided by the Collector till date, causing undue hardship to the petitioner. 3. Learned State counsel submits that the application of the petitioner shall be considered in accordance with law. 4. Considering the submissions made by the learned counsel for the parties and taking into account the fact that the petitioner’s application under Section 497 of the BNSS, 2023 filed on 25.11.2024, is still pending, it would be appropriate to direct the concerned authority to decide the same within a stipulated period. 5. Accordingly, the petition stands disposed of with a direction to the Collector to consider and decide the pending application of the petitioner filed under Section 497 BNSS, 2023 for release of the vehicle expeditiously, preferably within a period fo 15 days from the date of receipt of copy of this order, if there is no legal impediment. 6. It is made clear that this Court has not expressed any opinion on 3 the merits of the case and the authority shall pass the order strictly in accordance with law. Sd/- (Arvind Kumar Verma) Judge SUGUNA DUBEY Digitally signed by SUGUNA DUBEY Date: 2025.11.13 11:12:22 +0530