The Kerala High Court has allowed a Thrissur woman, Rasheeda Muthu Abdulrahiman, to remit a penalty of Rs. 2.7 lakh in six monthly instalments.

The bench of Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. passed the order after the petitioner, initially seeking multiple remedies including the return of seized gold and quashing of the confiscation order, confined her plea to seeking an instalment facility to pay the penalty due to severe financial hardship.

The petitioner had accused customs officials of confiscating her gold ornaments without furnishing key documents, including the seizure mahazar and her Section 108 statement, essential for mounting a proper defence.

The gold seized in 2022 has reportedly already been sold by customs authorities in an auction, a fact that further intensified the petitioner’s grievance. She contended that the impugned order dated June 12, 2023, was passed without following due process, violating her right to a fair hearing.

While the High Court refrained from addressing the merits of the confiscation or the alleged denial of documents, it acknowledged the petitioner’s financial difficulties and granted her time-bound relief.

The court directed that the penalty amount be paid in six equal instalments of Rs.2,70,000 in six monthly instalments starting July 10, 2025, with subsequent payments due on the 10th of every following month. Any default will cancel the benefit and revive recovery proceedings.

Case Details

Case Title: Rasheeda Muthu Abdulrahiman Versus Joint Commissioner Of Customs

Case No.: WP(C) NO. 20549 OF 2025

Date: 10/06/2025

Counsel For Petitioner: Renjith B.Marar

Counsel For Respondent: Arun Kumar.P