DEVADASAN DAYALAL Vs. COLLECTOR OF CUSTOMS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner landed in the Trivandrum Air Port on 6-12-1985. He bad come from Abu Dhabi. He had with him varieties of goods: cassettes and cameras, cigarettes and liquor, bed and bracelet and the like. Not per se objectionable. Duty has to be, and has been, paid for the value exceeding the permissible limit. According to the Customs, he had something more; and of an objectionable type: gold biscuits weighing 2088 grams, and of a probable market value of Rs. 4,32,216/-.

(2.) The petitioner had a different version about it; he disputes the mahazar wherein the seizure of the gold biscuits is indicated; he disputes the statements signed by hint, as, according to him, they were obtained under coercion and pressure.

(3.) It is not disputed that the petitioner has been arrested, that he has been produced before the Court trying the economic offences, and that the proceedings there continue to be pending.