State of Maharashtra Excise Department vs Lahu Dagadu Kamble — 369/2025

Court Decision Summary The Judicial Magistrate First Class, Palus acquitted defendant Lahu Dargud Kamble of charges under Maharashtra Prohibition Act Section 65(E) for allegedly possessing 27 bottles of illicit alcohol for sale. The court found that the prosecution failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt—the panchnama (seizure record) was not properly conducted before the mandated witness, and no credible testimonial evidence supported the allegations. The court applied the benefit of doubt principle, acquitting the defendant and ordering return of seized assets after appeal period. This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.