MALIK HAQ NAWAZ, J.---The petitioner through this writ petition seeks custody of a car bearing Registration No. LE-10-2870 Chassis/ice-140-5003287 Engine No. 4059476, which per his claim was purchased by him from Tariq Khan son of Jamal Khan of Sabzi Mandi Islamabad.
2. The above car was confiscated by the Excise and Taxation department Ghizer on 18-11-2017 on the plea that the above vehicle is suspicious. Per claim of the petitioner he submitted legal documents before the authorities of Excise and Taxation but the authorities refused to hand over the vehicle to the petitioner . The respondent passed an order on 07-03-2018, the copy of the same was also endorsed to the petitioner , wherein it was mentioned that since the petitioner failed to establish his right over the vehicle, therefore, the same has been confiscated in favour of the State. The order passed by the Excise and Taxation Office be declared illegal and unwarranted and the respondent be directed to hand over the car to the petitioner .
3. On the other hand the learned Assistant Advocate General, submitted that the petitioner was afforded sufficient time in accordance with law to establish his identity but he failed. The documents of the vehicle were sent to MRA Lahore, which were found forged. The order dated 07-03-2018 has been passed after due process of law, which does not call for any interference.
4. We heard both the learned counsel for the parties and examined the record of the case. The above mentioned car was seized under rule 3(1) of Gilgit-Baltistan Seizure and Disposal of Motor Vehicles Rules, 2017 on the basis of its fake registration certificate. The Excise and Taxation Office Ghizer deputed one Sultan Ahmed Jan Sub Inspector for verification of the registration papers, which were submitted by the petitioner before the Excise and Taxation Office Ghizer . On verification these documents were found forged. Excise and Taxation Office Ghizer got supplied necessary proclamation in daily "Khabrain" under Rule 9(1) of Gilgit-Baltistan Seizure and Disposal of Motor Vehicle Rules, 2017, which has been made the part of the instant writ by the learned counsel for the petitioner . As evident from the impugned order dated 07.03.2018, no one filed his claim before the. Excise and Taxation authorities and ultimately the vehicle was confiscated in favour of the State. No illegality has been committed by the Excise and Taxation authorities and the vehicle has been confiscated after due process of law.
The petitioner cannot be allowed possession of the car , the registration of which has been found forged.
5. The writ petition in the above circumstances is dismissed being meritless.
6. Consigned the file to record after completion.