Lakshmi v. Commissioner Of Customs (Preventive)
$~1 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + BAIL APPLN. 709/2025 & CRL.M.A. 5098/2025 LAKSHMI .....Petitioner Through:
Mr. Priyadarshi Manish, Ms. Anjali Jha Manish, Ms.
Madhuri Malegaonkar, Advocates versus COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS (PREVENTIVE) .....Respondent Through:
Mr. Puneet Singhal, SPP
CORAM:
HON'BLE DR. JUSTICE SWARANA KANTA SHARMA
O R D E R
% 08.08.2025 1.
By way of this application, the applicant seeks grant of anticipatory bail in case bearing no. C.No.VIII(SB)10/Cus.Prev./Gr-IIA/R-35/EI/38/ 2425, registered for the commission of offence punishable under Section 135 of Customs Act, 1962.
2.
As per the case of prosecution, the applicant is involved in the import of mis-declared goods, i.e. old and used/ refurbished laptops, which are restricted items as per DGFT policy and require import licence from Central Pollution Control Board and Bureau of Indian Standards 3.
The learned counsel appearing on behalf of the applicant argues that there is no material on record to connect the applicant with the alleged offence. It is contended that the applicant was a sleeping partner without any active role in M/s. Prime World Logistics, which is alleged to have The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
committed the violation. It is further submitted that the applicant is a lady and has already joined the inquiry proceedings. It is also pointed out that vide order dated 28.02.2025, the applicant was granted interim protection by this Court.
4.
The learned SPP appearing on behalf of the respondent/Customs, who appears through video conferencing, submits at the outset, on instructions from the I.O., that the custody of the present applicant is not required, and the respondent has no objection if the present bail application is allowed. 5.
This Court has heard arguments addressed on behalf of both the sides and has perused the material available on record. 6.
Considering the overall facts and circumstances of the case and in view of the submission made by the learned SPP for the respondent, and also the fact that applicant has already joined inquiry proceedings, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the applicant. In event of arrest, she shall be released on her furnishing personal bond in the sum of Rs.10,000/- with one surety of the like amount to the satisfaction of the I.O concerned and, subject to her joining investigation, on the following terms and conditions:
i) The applicant shall remain available on mobile numbers; shared by her with the I.O. concerned.
ii) The applicant shall not leave the country without prior permission of the concerned Court.
iv) In case of change of residential address/contact details, the applicant shall promptly inform the same to the concerned I.O.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
7.
Accordingly, the present application for grant of anticipatory bail is allowed.
8.
It is, however, clarified that nothing expressed herein above shall tantamount to an expression of opinion on merits of the case. 9.
The order be uploaded on the website forthwith. DR. SWARANA KANTA SHARMA, J AUGUST 08, 2025/ns The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.