INDORE: To solve shortage of hearse vans in government hospitals, Dhar district administration has roped in vehicles, which were confiscated while transporting illicit liquors, for the service. While many have termed it a good step, excise officials and legal experts have raised questions over legality of the order.“We have decided to rope in seven vehicles, which were seized under Section 47 – K (2) of MP Excise Act, 1915 for transporting illicit liquor. The vehicles are being modified for the purpose. The vehicles will be handed over to government medical facilities,” collector Deepak Singh told TOI.He said that there’s shortage of hearse vans at government hospitals in rural areas. “As per the law, the collector’s court has right to confiscate the vehicles on violations of the excise act. The step is in the public interest” Singh said.Following the collector’s orders, government medical facility in Manawar, Sardarpur , Kukshi, Badnawar , Dhar, Gandhwani and Dharampuri will be benefitted. The vehicles expenses will be borne by Red Cross Society and Rogi Kalyan Samiti.However, excise officials said that collector’s order is not as per the law.“As per the rules, the collector’s court dispose of confiscated vehicles, which are seized for transporting illicit liquors and after auctioning the same, the amount is deposited in treasury of the excise department,” additional excise commissioner Mukesh Nema told TOI.He said that the matter has not yet brought to his knowledge by local excise officials.“It’s against the law. It is compulsory to auction confiscated vehicles without using it and deposit the money in the treasury and if it’s used, its value would be reduced. Thus, cause in loss in state exchequer,” advocate Manohar Dalal told TOI.BOXThe step of converting the confiscated vehicles into hearse was stated to be the outcome of an incident reported in Gopalpura area of Manawar tehsil of Dhar. After death of one Sunil Nanuram Bhil (19), his sister had taken the body to district hospital for autopsy on a pushcart as no hearse van was available.

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