ARASI INPAMATY MATHIAPARANAM Vs. ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition has been filed challenging the order dtd. 24/4/2024 in F.No.OS.No.1569/2023, F.No.OS.No.1570/2023 and F.No.OS.No.1571/2023 passed by the respondent and also to direct the respondent to release the Gold ornaments inappropriately seized by the respondent officials vide seizure/detention file Nos.OS No.1569/2003 AIU B, OS.No.1570/2023 AIU B, and OS.No.1571/2023 AIU B dtd. 30/12/2023.

(2.) The learned counsel for the petitioners would submit that the petitioners are citizens of SriLanka and had come down to Chennai and landed at Chennai International Airport on 30/12/2023 at 03.30 pm along with 3 children. They planned for pilgrimage, to visit various temples in Tamil Nadu, as it is their custom and tradition. The 2nd petitioner is the daughter-in-law of the 1st petitioner and she was newly married to one Jeyakanth/son of the 1st petitioner. The 3rd petitioner is the daughter of the 1st petitioner. The details of the family members, who had arrived at Chennai on 30/12/2023, are as follows:

(3.) While passing the customs, the officials of the respondent had checked their belongings and questioned about their gold ornaments totally weighing about 288 grams. When the enquiry was conducted, the petitioners replied that 2nd petitioner had got married and going to France after their planned pilgrimage in Tamil Nadu and she has also showed the return ticket to France to the officials.