VINOD KHANNA Vs. DIRECTORATE OF REVENUE INTELLIGENCE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner is in custody since 21st June, 2014.

(2.) By this petition under Section 439 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, petitioner has prayed that he be released on bail.

(3.) Petitioner arrived at IGI Airport, New Delhi Terminal 3 from Dubai on 20th June, 2014 by Flight No. EK-512 at about 02:45 hrs. Customs department had prior intimation that a person travelling in the said flight would be carrying gold. Petitioner was intercepted and 5 kg gold worth over Rs. 1 crore was recovered from him. Petitioner's statement under Section 108 of The Customs Act, 1962 (for short, the 'Act') was recorded; wherein he stated that he was bringing gold on the instructions of Babbu Kohli. He further disclosed that co-accused Anuj Kumar, who was employee of Babbu Kohli, had provided him address of the persons from whom he had to collect gold in Dubai. He further stated that gold bars were to be delivered to Hari Sharan Khanna, another employee of Babbu Kohli. He further stated that he was paid Rs. 15,000/- to Rs. 20,000/- for carrying gold bars. On earlier occasions also he had brought gold on the instructions of Babbu Kohli. During the investigation, it surfaced that Nagesh Chadha and Prem Chand Gupta had financed Babbu Kohli for bringing the gold.