ABDUL RAHIM NAZEER Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE Order of the Court is as follows :- Though the petitioners are different in each petitions, the respondents are the same and the relief sought for is also identical. Hence, all the writ petitions are taken up for joint disposal with the consent of Counsel for either side. Since the averments made in all the affidavits are identical, there is no need to traverse the same individually in detail.

(2.) THE petitioners have filed these writ petitions seeking for the issuance of aWrit of Mandamusdirecting the respondents to release the silver, the quantity of which is mentioned in each writ petitions.

(3.) SO far as the petitioner in W.P. No. 17547 of 1996 is concerned, he gave a voluntary statement before the Superintendent, Central Excise and Customs, Preventive Unit, Pattukottai disowning the ownership of silver and further, he has no objection regarding the confiscation of the same. Subsequent to the statement, for further enquiry, notices were sent to the petitioner and the petitioner is effectively avoiding the service. Subsequently, he also retracted the statement given by him before the Superintendent, Central Excise and Customs, Preventive Unit, Pattukottai.