The Delhi High Court has directed Customs Department officials not to confiscate old or personal jewellery worn by passengers during airport checks.
The court also warned against any harassment related to such jewellery.
The court stated that if the Customs Department baggage rules are not amended by the next hearing, a standard operating procedure (SOP) must be submitted by May 19.
This SOP should guide customs officers until the rules are officially changed.
A bench of Justice Pratiba Maninder Singh and Justice Rajnish Kumar Gupta passed the order.
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The Customs Department informed the court that the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) is consulting stakeholders and needs more time to amend the rules.
The court issued the direction after hearing over 30 petitions. These petitions questioned the Customs Department’s process of seizing luggage from Indian citizens and tourists returning to India.
The court noted several cases where passengers were stopped, and jewellery worn during travel was seized.
It expressed concern over this and said the SOP must address all issues raised in the hearing.
The court also said the process of evaluating and disposing of seized goods must be simplified. It further directed the Customs Department to inform all its officers about the order.
The court made it clear that delays in amending Customs Department baggage rules cannot justify the continued harassment of passengers.
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