PRADEEP D. KOTHARI Vs. THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Both the writ petitions have been filed by the same petitioner and the relief sought for being interconnected, they were heard together and are disposed of by this common order.

(2.) Writ Petition No.22344 of 2017 has been filed challenging the order of seizure dated 27.06.2017, passed by the Assistant Director, stating that he has reason to believe that foreign exchange worth USD 352258.25 suspected to be held outside India in contravention of Section 4 of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 ("FEMA" for brevity) and the equivalent value of the property of the petitioner in India to the tune of USD 352258.25 (worth Rs. 1,53,97,746/-) is liable to be seized in terms of provisions of Section 37A(1) of FEMA, read with Government of India notifications. Therefore, the first respondent ordered for seizure of the petitioner's Bank account to the tune of Rs. 1,59,14,857/-

(3.) Writ Petition No.31851 of 2017 has been filed challenging the order passed by the Commissioner of Customs (Appeals-II) dated 23.11.2017, confirming the order of seizure passed by the Assistant Director as legal and proper.