SUMEET ARORA Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) INVOKING this Court's jurisdiction under Section 561-A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, Samvat, 1989, petitioner has filed this petition, seeking quashing of F.I.R. No. 128/05, registered at Police Station, Kothi Bagh, Srinagar, under Sections 379/380/120-B RPC, and 8/25 Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972.

(2.) ACCORDING to the petition, the petitioner possesses a Master Degree in Business Administration from Business School of Punjab University, Chandigarh and collecting of Coins is his hobby since childhood. He had served at various managerial positions with different organizations and had come to be posted as Assistant Manager, Customer Care, Bharati Tele-Ventures Limited (AIRTEL) Srinagar in 2005 when he was arrested by the Police and the Coins collected by him is his hobby were seized despite his apprising the police that collection of Coins and possession thereof was not an offence under the laws in force in the State.

(3.) MR . B.S. Salathia, learned Additional Advocate General, when asked to comment as to whether or not possession of Coins was punishable under the provisions of the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972 or under any other law for the time being in force, submitted that possession of Coins may not amount to commission of any offence.