Ritu Bahri, J.@mdashChallenge in this petition is to the order dated 20.06.1995 (Annexure P-2), passed by the Sessions Judge, Bathinda,
whereby application filed by the Commandant 55 Bn CRPF for return of 9 MM pistol, bearing Butt No. 8, Body No. 245 P-251885, 1 live Amm
8 MM & 9 fired cases, has been dismissed. The pistol in question was used in the commission of murder. As per the judgment dated 09.11.1990
passed by the Sessions Judge, Bathinda, accused T.A. Bhaskar was convicted u/s 302 IPC and Section 27 of Arms Act, 1959. The conviction
was upheld in appeal. In both the orders, no order with regard to the pistol In question was passed. Hence, vide impugned order, the Sessions
Judge, Bathinda, ordered that the pistol be confiscated to the State.
2. As per Section 452(1) Cr.P.C., after conclusion of a trial in any criminal Court, the Court can make any order as it thinks fit for the disposal, by
destruction, confiscation or delivery to any person claiming to be entitled to possession of the property or otherwise of any property or document
produced before it or in its custody. Further, sub-section (2) of Section 452 Cr.P.C., reads as under:--
An order may be made under sub-section (1) for the delivery of any property to any person claiming to be entitled to the possession thereof,
without any condition or on condition that he executes a bond with or without sureties, to the satisfaction of the Court, engaging to restore such
property to the Court if the order made under sub-section (1) is modified or set aside on appeal or revision.
3. If a person claims delivery of any property under sub-section (1), he shall be entitled to possession thereof with or without imposing any
condition i.e. executing bond etc.
4. On notice, reply on behalf of respondent Nos. 1 to 3 has been filed, admitting that the pistol used in the commission of the offence, is the
property of Union of India and it was the service pistol of the accused.
5. After going through the facts and circumstances of the case, this Court is of the view that since the pistol in question was the property of Union
of India, instead of passing an order of confiscating it to the State, the application of the petitioner should have been allowed keeping in view the
provisions as envisaged u/s 452(2) Cr.P.C. The Hon''ble Supreme Court in Sunderbhai Ambalal Desai and C.M. Mudaliar Vs. State of Gujarat,
while considering the provisions of Section 451 Cr.P.C., which deals with custody and disposal of property pending trial in certain cases, held that
the seized property or vehicles should not be kept in police stations for a long period. The Magistrate should pass appropriate orders immediately
by taking bond and guarantee as well as security for return of the said vehicles, if required at any point of time.
6. In the present case, vide judgment dated 09.11.1990, the Sessions Judge, Bathinda, convicted accused-T.A. Bhaskar u/s 302 IPC and Section
27 of the Arms Act, 1959. As per the provisions of Section 452(1) Cr.P.C., after conclusion of a trial, the Court can make any order as it thinks
fit for disposal, by destruction, confiscation or delivery to any person claiming to be entitled to possession of the confiscated property. The pistol in
question was the property of Union of India and as per Section 452(2) Cr.P.C., the Sessions Judge, Bathinda, could have passed an order for
release of the said pistol to the accused, as the trial had already been concluded. Accordingly, the impugned order dated 20.06.1995 (Annexure
P-2) is set aside and a direction is given to the respondents to release the aforesaid pistol to the petitioners without execution of any bond.
Writ petition stands allowed accordingly.
