Quick Summary: Ramesh Kumar Jangir's gold was taken at Delhi Airport. After a legal struggle, the court ordered the return of his gold items, but with certain conditions.
On February 23, 2024, Ramesh Kumar Jangir, an Indian citizen working in Kuwait, arrived at Delhi Airport. He tried to declare his gold items—one gold chain weighing 51 grams and two gold pieces weighing 65 grams each—at the customs area. However, the Customs Department held onto these items and gave him a receipt for them.
Ramesh was ready to pay the customs charges, but the Customs Department didn't do anything. He took the matter to court, and on April 4, 2025, the court decided that the gold chain could be given back to him as a personal item without any charges. The court told Ramesh to meet with the Customs Department on April 22, 2025.
"As for the gold chain, it should be considered a personal item of Ramesh and given back to him without paying customs charges."
On July 29, 2025, a final decision was made. The court said Ramesh was a "qualified traveler" and ordered that the gold chain be returned without any charges. The two gold pieces could be returned if he paid customs charges. Ramesh didn't have to pay any fines.
"I choose not to give any fine to Mr. Ramesh Kumar Jangir under the Customs Act, 1962."
Even after the decision, there was a delay in giving back the gold. On September 2, 2025, the Customs Department was told to follow the court's decision. By December 4, 2025, the court reminded them of the order and set a deadline to do it.
Ramesh was told to go to the Customs Department on December 16, 2025, to finish the steps needed to get his gold items back.
"After paying the required amounts, the items will be returned to Ramesh."
This case shows the problems travelers can face with customs, even when they are willing to follow the rules.
