Here's an interesting case about Monish Mohammed, who got into some trouble with the Customs Department over a gold bar. Let's dive into the details!
On August 25, 2021, Monish Mohammed arrived at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi from Saudi Arabia. Customs officials stopped him and took a gold bar weighing about 116 grams. They gave him a Detention Receipt, marking the start of Monish's legal journey.
Fast forward to September 16, 2021, an initial order was passed. Monish was allowed to get the gold bar back, but there were conditions:
“I order for confiscation of the said 'One Tola Bar of Suisse 10 Tolas weighing 116.6 grams having purity 999.9' under a section of the Customs Act, 1962.”
Monish, who works as a laborer in the Middle East, couldn't pay the fine within the given time. This led him to file a request, asking for more time to pay. His lawyer argued that Monish's financial situation made it impossible to meet the deadline.
The case was first heard on February 19, 2024. Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Renu Bhatnagar took note of Monish's financial situation and the possibility that the gold bar might have been sold. A statement from the Customs Department dated May 8, 2025, hinted at this sale but was later taken back.
On November 26, 2025, the court decided to allow Monish to get the gold bar back. He was asked to appear before the Customs Department on December 22, 2025, either in person or through someone he authorizes. Proper checking and payment were needed before the gold could be released.
“Under such circumstances, bearing in mind the fact that the Petitioner is from an economically weaker section... the Court is inclined to allow redemption in terms of the Order-in-Original.”
The court allowed Monish to retrieve his gold bar after considering his financial difficulties, provided he meets the verification and payment requirements.
