Jai Prakash Soni v. The Commissioner Of Customs (Preventive), Kolkata And ORS.

WPA 9556 of 2024 17-04-2026 AKG Jai Prakash Soni Vs.

The Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), Kolkata & Ors. Ct. 237 Mr. Pawan Kr. Gupta, Ms. Sofia Nesar, Mr. Santanu Sett ...for the Petitioner Mr. Kaushik Dey, Mr. Tapan Bhanja ...for the Respondents The petitioner claims that, on the basis of information furnished by him to the respondent authorities in Seizure Case No. 08/IMP/CL/Gold/CUS/BCED/DPU/ 2019-20 dated October 15, 2019, forty (40) gold bars weighing approximately 6.6443 kilograms, of foreign origin, were recovered. The petitioner further submits that the seized gold has since been confiscated and disposed of by the respondent authorities.

It is contended on behalf of the petitioner that an advance reward of ₹4,90,000/- was sanctioned by the competent authority upon recommendation of the seizing team of the respondents; however, no payment has been made to the petitioner to date.

It appears that the petitioner has made repeated representations before the respondent authorities seeking disbursement of the said advance reward, but no action has been taken thus far.

In view of the above, this Court finds no justification

to keep the writ petition pending. Accordingly, the Deputy Commissioner of Customs (Reward), CCP, Kolkata, being respondent no. 3, is directed to consider the representation of the petitioner, appearing at page 24 of the writ petition and dated September 8, 2023, in accordance with law within a period of one month from the date of communication of this order.

It is made clear that, in the event the petitioner is found entitled to the reward, the same shall be released within the said period in accordance with law. Accordingly, WPA 9556 of 2024 stands disposed of. Urgent certified website copies of this order, if applied for, be made available to the parties upon compliance with the requisite formalities.

(Kausik Chanda, J.)