Ruled in favour of Mulkh Raj @ Mulkh Raj Sharma (Petitioner)
In Short
A retired government employee booked a courier parcel for his son living in Ethiopia, but the package went missing and later landed him in a drug case. The High Court protected him with pre-arrest bail, noting that the parcel had been lost and potentially tampered with during transition.
The Parties
Party A: Mulkh Raj @ Mulkh Raj Sharma
Party B: State of Haryana and another
Advocates & Judges
For Party A: Learned Advocate Mr. Vipin Mahajan, Senior Advocate with Learned Advocate Mr. Utkrant Mahajan
For Party B: Learned Advocate Mr. Apoorv Garg, Addl. A.G., Haryana, and Learned Advocate Mr. Tajeshwar Singh Sullar
Judge(s): Hon'ble Justice Manisha Batra
What the Case Was About
The petitioner, a retired government employee with a clean background, booked a parcel to send to his son in Ethiopia. About a month later, the courier company informed him that the package had gone missing. Soon after, a police case was registered under strict drug laws. The petitioner approached the High Court seeking protection from arrest, arguing that the parcel was lost and its weight changed during transit, proving it was tampered with by someone else while out of his hands.
Judgment Date
24.09.2026
The Outcome
The court made the interim protection absolute and disposed of the petition while noting steps being taken for better courier regulations. The petitioner successfully secured his relief from arrest.
What the Court Looked At
- The petitioner was a retired government employee with clear antecedents.
- The petitioner had booked a courier parcel destined for his son in Ethiopia.
- The courier company informed the petitioner that the booked parcel had gone missing during transit.
- The initial weight of the parcel varied when it was moved to another location, pointing toward tampering.
- The Union of India submitted that a specific law was being planned to mandate the scanning of all courier parcels.
The court ensured protection of personal liberty while addressing systemic safety gaps in courier shipments.
What This Means For You
Sending packages through private couriers can unexpectedly expose you to legal liability if the contents are tampered with or replaced while in transit. In this case, the petitioner's clean background, prompt documentation, and clear timeline helped demonstrate that the missing package was mishandled after it left his possession. If you ever use courier services to send items to family members abroad, always keep your original booking receipts, tracking numbers, and email communications safe. Setback Solutions is here to help you understand your options and coordinate next steps with plain-language guidance when you feel overwhelmed by unexpected legal troubles.
You Still Have Options
If you are facing a false FIR, caught up in a sudden police investigation, or wondering what to do next after a setback, remember that it is not the end of the road. You can always seek a second opinion, evaluate your current legal representation, or explore non-judicial guidance to understand your position clearly. Setback Solutions can help you navigate these confusing moments by providing plain-language help and coordination to point you toward the right path. Please note that Setback Solutions is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or guarantee any specific court outcome. Reach out today to get clear, supportive guidance on your options.