Appointing someone as custodian and then that person not having control over the stock, appear to be contradiction in terms. I am not aware of the detailed facts of the case, but in my opinion, after being given the custody of the detained goods, it becomes the responsibility of the custodian to ensure that the goods remain intact and he may have to take control of the stocks, if necessary, to fulfil this responsibility. Otherwise, he should not have accepted the responsibility of being custodian.
Though you have not given details of the legal provisions under which such custodian has been appointed by the central excise officer, in general, if someone is appointed as custodian of detained goods and he accepts this responsibility, then any shortage in such detained goods may expose such person to action under the Central Excise Act, and may also perhaps expose him to the charge of offence of misappropriation of goods.
If such person does not want to continue as custodian, he may have to contact the concerned central excise officer for the change; especially if he wants to leave the company he should bring this fact to the notice of the central excise officer so that the latter can make alternative arrangements for appointing someone else as custodian of the goods detained.
Dr. Ashok Dhamija is a New Delhi based Supreme Court Advocate and author of law books. Read more about him by clicking here. List of his Forum Replies. List of his other articles. List of his Quora Answers. List of his YouTube Videos.
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