Legal

Delhi HC Orders Customs To Stop Seizing Personal Jewellery Of Air Passengers

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.

Also Read: Supreme Court Allows Yasin Malik To Cross-Examine Witnesses Via Video From Tihar Jail

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.

Also Read: PM Modi Unveils 21-Point Action Plan To Boost BIMSTEC Cooperation At Bangkok Summit

Gopal Krishna

Recent Posts

Pakistan’s Digital Frontline: Jokes, Memes And Savage Self-Roasts

While tensions between India and Pakistan escalate post the tragic Pahalgam terror attack, something unexpected…

4 hours ago

Reliance Industries Q4 Net Profit Rises 6.4% As Retail And Digital Units Offset Energy Weakness

Reliance Industries delivered a strong Q4 FY25 performance, with Y-o-Y net profit rising 6.4% to…

4 hours ago

Yash Pratap Singh And Mehak Jaiswal Top UP Board Exams With Outstanding Scores

Yash Pratap Singh of Jalaun tops Class 10 with 97.83%, while Prayagraj’s Mehak Jaiswal secures…

4 hours ago

Yogi Adityanath Calls For Reforms To Make Madrasa Education Modern And Employment-Oriented

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday emphasised the need for sweeping reforms in the madrasa…

5 hours ago

Tulsi Gabbard Backs India’s Hunt For Pahalgam Terror Attack Perpetrators

United States Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard on Friday expressed strong support for…

6 hours ago

World Leaders Head To Rome For funeral Of Pope Francis

Indian President Droupadi Murmu will also attend, representing India alongside Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Minister…

7 hours ago