Arpico Finance Company Limited v. Officer in Charge – CA PHC.174/08-2008

In the case between Arpico Finance Company Limited and the Officer in Charge, Police Station, Kahawatte, the court addressed the issue of whether the absolute owner of a vehicle can reclaim said vehicle after it has been confiscated by a Magistrate upon a conviction for an offence under the Animals Act. It was held that the absolute owner is not entitled to recover the confiscated vehicle, reaffirming the principle that property confiscated as a consequence of a lawful conviction cannot be reclaimed by the absolute owner. This decision relied on the Supreme Court precedent set in Orient Financial Services Corporation Limited Vs. Range Forest Officer, Ampara, SC Appeal 120/2011, emphasizing that legal title does not entitle an owner to recover property forfeited pursuant to a lawful judicia