Bombay HC orders release of 31 seized supercars, deems Police action unlawful

The Bombay High Court, in a recent ruling, has directed the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) police to release 31 high-end and sports cars that were impounded on January 26. 

The court emphasized that the police action lacked sufficient legal basis and noted that the FIR (First Information Report) was registered after the luxury cars, including Ferraris and Lamborghinis, were seized.

The cars were part of a rally organized by an event management company to celebrate Republic Day. The police took action, claiming that the car rally violated prohibitory orders restricting gatherings of more than five persons.

Lawyer Aabad Ponda, representing the car owners, argued before the bench that the FIR was an afterthought, initiated after a verbal altercation between the police and one of the car owners. Ponda highlighted discrepancies in the notices issued by the police, initially accusing the owners of improper documentation and later linking the police action to unauthorized modifications to the cars.

The court seemed to agree, questioning why prior notices were not issued to the car owners regarding their vehicles.

The government defended the police action, asserting that the assembly of people for the rally was deemed illegal and citing security concerns related to Republic Day. 

The car owners, mainly businessmen residing in Bandra, Khar, and Andheri, along with the rally organizers, were booked under section 188 and relevant sections of the Maharashtra Police Act 1951.