SINDER PAL Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) C.M. No.1517 of 2017

(2.) The petitioner is aggrieved of the impugned action of respondent No.2, who has impounded the passport of the petitioner bearing No.H-7164937 valid upto 209.2019.

(3.) Mr. Ashish Aggarwal, learned Senior Counsel assisted by Mr. Deepak Gupta, Advocate appearing for the petitioner submits that the petitioner from the last five years has travelled couple of times to various countries including Dubai and Singapore. The petitioner is in the business of exporting rice to different countries and in this aspect of the matter, he has to travel abroad. However, in the year 2013, office of Commissioner of Customs (Anti Smuggling), Ludhiana, initiated an investigation alleging that he is involved in the export of sanders wood. Resultantly, he was arrested for alleged to have committed offence under Sec. 135 of the Customs Act, 1962 and in these proceedings on 24.07.2013, the Customs Authority had taken into possession passport of the petitioner, apart from PAN Card, driving licence and other documents.