The Delhi High Court has intervened to protect air passengers from arbitrary customs seizures, ruling in favor of travelers facing confiscation of high-value goods at airports. In a series of recent cases, the court emphasized that customs authorities must adhere to due process and cannot seize passengers’ belongings without proper justification under the Customs Act, 1962. 

This development comes amid growing concerns over excessive enforcement actions, particularly regarding the seizure of personal jewellery.

Oral Waiver Of Show Cause Notice And Personal Hearing In A Standard Form Is Not Lawful: Delhi High Court Releases NRI’s Rolex Wrist Watch

Case Title: Mohamed Shamiuddeen Versus Commissioner Of Customs

The Delhi High Court had released NRI’s Rolex wrist watch seized by the customs department and held that oral waiver of show cause notice and personal hearing in a standard form is not lawful.

Delhi High Court Directs Customs Release Of ‘Name Engraved’ Gold Kada  

Case Title: Sai Kiran Goud Tirupathi Versus Commissioner Of Customs 

The Delhi High Court has directed the customs department to release of ‘name engraved’ Gold Kada.

Delhi High Court Directs Customs to Release Personal Jewellery of Minor From UAE Held At IGI Airport

The Delhi High Court has directed customs to release personal jewellery of minors from UAE held at IGI airport.

IGI Airport Customs Habitually Forcing Tourists To Sign SCN Waivers In Standard Format: Delhi High Court Warns Twice

The Delhi High Court has strongly criticized the Customs Department at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport for its repeated practice of coercing tourists into signing standard-format undertakings waiving their right to a show cause notice and personal hearing. 

Delhi High Court Directs Customs Dept. To Discontinue Practice Of Making Tourists Sign Undertaking In Standard Form Waiving SCN

Case Title: Mr Makhinder Chopra  Versus Commissioner Of Customs New Delhi 

The Delhi High Court has directed the customs dept. to discontinue practice of making tourists sign undertaking in standard form waiving show cause notice and personal hearing is contrary to the provisions of Section 124 of the Customs Act.

After Delhi High Court Rebuke, Customs Implements Measures to Prevent Unlawful Detention of Air Travellers’ Personal Jewellery

Case Title: Qamar Jahan Versus Union Of India

After Delhi High Court rebuke, customs implements measures to prevent unlawful detention of air travellers’ personal jewellery.

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