Provisional release of seized trucks must be decided promptly, with release following on bonds if the application is not decided in time.

A provisional release application for seized trucks under Section 143 of the Customs Act, 1962 was required to be decided expeditiously where the vehicles had been seized on allegations of transporting contraband goods. The court directed the authority to determine the application within 10 days. If no decision was taken within that period, provisional release of the trucks would follow on execution of bonds equivalent to their value, in line with Section 143.

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Issues: Whether the authority should be directed to decide the petitioner's application for provisional release of seized trucks under Section 143 of the Customs Act, 1962 within a fixed time, and whether release could follow on failure to decide.

Analysis: The trucks had been seized on the allegation of carriage of contraband goods, and an earlier direction required the petitioner to seek provisional release under Section 143. As the application for provisional release remained pending, the Court found it to require expeditious disposal. It further provided that if the application was not decided within the stipulated period, provisional release would follow on execution of bonds to the value of the trucks, as contemplated by Section 143.

Conclusion: The application for provisional release was directed to be decided within 10 days, and failing such decision, the petitioner became entitled to release of the trucks upon furnishing bonds of their value.

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