Quick Summary: A case involving smuggled foreign wristwatches in Gujarat led to a long legal battle. The Supreme Court reduced the sentences of Amad Noormamad Bakali and others because a lot of time had passed and they were older now.
Back in April 1985, Customs officers in Mandvi, Gujarat, received a tip about smuggled foreign wristwatches. They found two bags filled with brands like Seiko and Citizen hidden near a dock. On May 1, 1985, they seized 777 watches and 879 straps, worth Rs.2,22,190.
"The seized bags were moved to the Customs House, Mandvi, where they were opened and checked."
Amad Noormamad Bakali and others were accused of breaking the law under the Customs Act, 1962. The trial started on January 19, 1987, against 21 people. By March 26, 2003, seven were found guilty and sentenced to three years in prison and fines.
The convicted individuals appealed, but their conviction was upheld by the Additional Sessions Judge in Bhuj on May 21, 2005. Further appeals were dismissed by the Gujarat High Court on December 21, 2010.
Defense: Lawyers Ravi Panwar and Amar Dave argued that the convictions were based on forced confessions, especially from Hussein Mamad Bhadala, who died while in custody.
Prosecution: Additional Solicitor General Raja Thakare highlighted the seriousness of the smuggling operation.
"The appellants had failed to provide any evidence to show that the statements under the Customs Act, 1962 were obtained through force."
On February 23, 2026, Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta decided that the sentences should be reduced to time already served because a lot of time had passed since the crime and Amad Noormamad Bakali and others were older now.
"Making the appellants serve more time in prison at this point would be too harsh."
The Supreme Court reduced the sentences of Amad Noormamad Bakali and others to the time they had already served, considering the long time since the incident and their advanced age.
