Summary: A court in Delhi decided on February 20, 2026, that Ms. Shabnam Parveen can get back her gold, which was taken at the airport. The head of the Customs Department wanted to keep it, saying she didn't declare it properly. But the court didn't agree with the head of the Customs Department.
Ms. Shabnam Parveen arrived at IGI Airport, New Delhi, from Bangkok on May 9, 2022. Customs officers stopped her after she passed through the Green Channel. They found two pieces of gold weighing 300 grams, valued at ₹14,07,210. She admitted to not declaring the gold, which is required by law.
Initially, Ms. Parveen said someone in Bangkok gave her the gold to deliver in Delhi for ₹15,000. She didn't have any receipts and knew she should have declared the gold. However, later she claimed she was forced to sign papers under pressure and took back her statement on June 22, 2022.
The head of the Customs Department decided on August 4, 2022, that Ms. Parveen couldn't bring the gold into the country at a lower tax rate. They took the gold and fined her ₹2,25,000 under different rules of the Customs Act.
Ms. Parveen appealed, and the Customs Department's Appeals Officer on May 9, 2023, found her retraction believable. They allowed her to pay a fine of ₹1,46,000 and get her gold back, saying it was a case of not declaring the gold, not smuggling.
The head of the Customs Department didn't agree and asked for another review. Meanwhile, Ms. Parveen also asked for a quick decision. On December 12, 2025, the Review Authority agreed with the appeal decision, finding no proof that Ms. Parveen was a repeat offender. The court confirmed this on February 20, 2026, dismissing the Customs Department's request.
Ms. Parveen can now get her gold back by paying the fine and applicable taxes. The court also addressed storage charges, ensuring fair treatment.
