The Delhi High Court has directed Customs authorities to release 4 gold bars seized from Oman-based Indian national Mir Fasil Khurseed, while ordering a re-assessment of a luxury wristwatch also confiscated during his arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in November 2023.
The bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Shail Jain has directed the matter be expedited. Subsequently, when the Department accepted the Appellate Authority’s order, Customs implemented the ruling within four weeks.
The case stemmed from Khurseed’s arrival from Muscat on November 23, 2023, when Customs officials intercepted him after he opted for the Green Channel. Authorities detained 80 grams of gold (four 20-gram bars of 999.9 purity) and a high-end “Patek Philippe” automatic watch, citing violations under the Customs Act, 1962.
An Order-in-Original (OIO) issued on January 11, 2024, held Khurseed ineligible for free allowance under baggage rules, ordered confiscation of the seized items valued at ₹4.61 lakh, and imposed a penalty of Rs. 46,000. The Customs Department, however, allowed redemption of the goods upon payment of a fine of Rs. 55,000 for re-export.
The Department later challenged the OIO before the Appellate Authority, which on June 27, 2025, partially modified the decision. It ordered release of the gold bars upon payment of a redemption fine of ₹66,000, but remanded the case regarding the Patek Philippe watch for fresh adjudication after re-assessment of its value.
The court instructed Khurseed to appear before Customs officials on August 27, 2025, for release of the gold bars. On the same day, authorities are to grant him a hearing regarding the reassessment of the luxury watch.
Case Details
Case Title: Mir Fasil Khurseed Versus Commissioner Of Customs & Anr.
Case No.: W.P.(C) 5501/2025 & CM APPL. 42874/2025
Date: 22nd August, 2025
Counsel For Petitioner: Dr. Ashutosh & Ms. Fatima
Counsel For Respondent: Aditya Singla
