Jagran correspondent, Patna. Auction of vehicles seized in cases of violation of prohibition under the Prohibition and Excise Act is a major source of revenue in the district. Between March 17 and December 15, 2025, the auction process of 306 vehicles was completed and the government received Rs 5 crore 92 lakh 7 thousand from this. Meanwhile, a fine of Rs 1 crore 30 lakh 32 thousand 394 was handed over to the owners of 13 vehicles.
Revenue worth crores is being lost due to the slow process of decision and auction on seized vehicles. According to the report presented by DM-SSP in the review meeting of the Prohibition Department, in the last nine months, a proposal for evaluation of 1,562 vehicles from various sub-divisions was sent to the District Transport Officer. Meanwhile, the evaluation and auction process of only 306 vehicles could be completed. The auction process is still pending as 1,256 vehicles have not been evaluated.
According to officials, the 13 vehicles freed from fines generated an average revenue of more than Rs 10 lakh. At the same time, the auction of dilapidated vehicles generated an average revenue of Rs 1.93 lakh per vehicle. Sub-divisions like Patna Sadar, Patna City, Danapur and Barh are at the forefront in the slow pace of administrative process.
Pending of confiscation cases is a big challenge
The excise department or police seizes the vehicle used to transport liquor and files a confiscation case against it. In this, the magistrate's court decides how the final disposal of the seized vehicle will be, whether it will be declared the property of the government, it will be released after paying a fine or the vehicle will be released for other legal reasons. 2661 confiscation cases were filed in nine months.
Of these, 2151 vehicles have been declared state property or have been freed on deferred fines. 510 confiscation cases are still pending while 13 vehicles were freed from fine amounting to Rs 1 crore 30 lakh 32 thousand 394. Maximum 137 cases are pending in the court of Patna Sadar Nodal Officer of Prohibition, 121 cases of Barh Land Reforms Deputy Collector, 73 cases of Patna Sadar Land Reforms Deputy Collector and 55 cases of Danapur Prohibition Superintendent.
DM will review weekly for speed
DM Dr. Thiagarajan SM and SSP Karthikeya K Sharma, in the review meeting of prohibition and excise cases, discussed the auction of vehicles seized under the prohibition campaign, confiscation, confiscated liquor, confiscation case and destruction progress. For this, the officer duo directed to increase regular raids, arrests and seizures. Also directed the officers to speed up execution of vehicle confiscation cases, not to delay liquor destruction and to increase the execution rate from the court.
Due to the slow process of valuation and auction, not only the revenue collection is being affected but the vehicles standing in the police station for years are also falling into disrepair. For speedy disposal of pending cases, coordinated action, time bound hearing and accountability has been fixed at the departmental level. The DM himself will review the progress every week.
Vehicle confiscation is strictly based on strong basis of financial penalty.
Seizure of vehicles used in illegal liquor trade is proving to be the biggest problem for the mafia engaged in this illegal business. Losing a vehicle is proving to be the biggest fear for criminals. Along with financial penalties, vehicle confiscation is also effectively controlling illegal liquor trade.
If the process of execution and auction of pending confiscation cases is speeded up, the government can get additional revenue worth crores. Officials say that delay in court and document verification, dispute over ownership rights, assessment report not being received on time and lack of coordination between departments are the biggest reasons for the delay.