DIRECTORATE OF REVENUE INTELLIGENCE Vs. AJAY BABU MANDA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Matters taken up via video conferencing.

(2.) Challenged in these two applications is the common order dtd. 25/10/2021 passed by the learned Sessions Judge, Shillong in Crl. Revision No. 6 (H) of 2021 and Crl. Revision No. 5 (H) of 2021, whereby the order dtd. 20/7/2021 passed by the learned Judicial Magistrate, Shillong in Crl. Misc. Applications No 25 of 2021 and Crl. Misc. Application No 26 of 2021 under Sec. 135(1) (a) and (b) of the Customs Act, 1962 were upheld.

(3.) Brief facts as enumerated in the petition is that on the basis of specific information, the Officers of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Shillong Regional Unit had intercepted three trucks bearing Registration numbers AP16TH-7137, AP16TH-7277 and AP16 TE-5670 on 9/4/2021 near Thang-shalai village, NH-6, East Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya between 06.00 hours and 06.15 hours. On being searched, a total number of 1500 bags of foreign origin black pepper weighing about 75,000 kgs. was seized resulting in the arrest of three drivers and two helpers with the said trucks also seized under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.