Section 17
To Freeze And Auction Property
(1) In cases where the Excise Duty Officer has a reasonable ground for seizing the property belonging to any person pursuant to this Act or the Rules framed under this Act, the Excise Duty Officer may freeze the property so that the transfer of right or ownership of such property to anyone else cannot be done.
(2) In cases where it appears that the property so frozen can be perished, decayed or destroyed or its value can be diminished, the Excise Duty Officer shall immediately auction such goods and credit the proceeds from the auction sale. In cases where the concerned person is subsequently held entitled to have the frozen property returned to him/her, only the proceeds from the auction sale shall be refunded to him/her. The concerned person shall not be entitled to claim for the return of the goods itself. (3) If the goods seized are found useful upon examination, proceeds from the auction shale shall be deposited as revenue. However, if such goods are found not useful, it shall be destroyed as prescribed by the Department.
(2) In cases where it appears that the property so frozen can be perished, decayed or destroyed or its value can be diminished, the Excise Duty Officer shall immediately auction such goods and credit the proceeds from the auction sale. In cases where the concerned person is subsequently held entitled to have the frozen property returned to him/her, only the proceeds from the auction sale shall be refunded to him/her. The concerned person shall not be entitled to claim for the return of the goods itself. (3) If the goods seized are found useful upon examination, proceeds from the auction shale shall be deposited as revenue. However, if such goods are found not useful, it shall be destroyed as prescribed by the Department.