VIKI CHANDRAKANTBHAI THACKER vs Government of Gujarat Advocate - APP — 165/2026

Summary The Chief Judicial Magistrate of Bhuj rejected the applicant's petition seeking return of 10,335 kg of rice (valued at ₹2,60,959) seized under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The court held that under Section 6E of the Act, only the Collector or State Government has jurisdiction over seized essential commodities, and no court—including magistrates—can order their release or return, particularly when the investigation is ongoing. The court emphasized that the Collector must follow proper confiscation procedures under Sections 6A and 6B before final disposition of the seized goods. This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.