Delhi HC Orders Release of 464 Grams of Gold of Uzbek Nationals Despite Delay in Paying Redemption Fine [Read Order]
The court directed the Customs Department to release the seized jewellery of two Uzbek nationals after permitting delayed payment of the redemption fine due to the petitioner’s deportation.
Redemption - fine - taxscan
Redemption - fine - taxscan
In a recent ruling, the Delhi High Court directed the Customs Department to release 464 grams of seized gold belonging to two Uzbek nationals after allowing them to pay the redemption fine, even though the payment was delayed due to the deportation of one of them.
Muyassar Yusupova and Jasur Parmanov, both citizens of Uzbekistan, filed a writ petition before the Delhi High Court seeking enforcement of an Order-in-Original dated 31 January 2025 passed by the Additional Commissioner of Customs, Terminal-3, IGI Airport, New Delhi.
The order permitted them to redeem and re-export gold jewellery valued at Rs. 21,21,831, which had been seized by the Customs Department on 8 June 2024.
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The petitioners’ counsel argued that Yusupova had been deported to Uzbekistan on 15 January 2025, just before the Order-in-Original was issued, which made it impossible for her to comply with the redemption conditions within the stipulated 120 days.
They further explained that a letter dated 27 June 2025 was sent to the Customs Department requesting implementation of the order, but no action was taken.
The Customs Department argued that under Section 125(3) of the Customs Act, 1962, the option to redeem confiscated goods becomes void if the fine is not paid within 120 days. Since the petitioners had not paid the redemption fine within that period, the department claimed the order could not be given effect to.
The Division Bench comprising Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Shail Jain observed that Yusupova was deported before the Order-in-Original was passed, making it difficult for her to fulfill the conditions in time. The court pointed out that the petitioner’s communication through her counsel showed a genuine intention to comply with the customs order.
The court directed the Customs Department to give effect to the Order-in-Original by allowing the petitioners to pay the redemption fine and complete all legal formalities. After compliance, the seized jewellery is to be released and re-exported.
The court also permitted the petitioners to appear before the Customs Authority in person or through an authorised representative. The writ petition was disposed of in these terms.
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