Delhi HC says Customs Act can't justify over-24-hour detention
In short
The Delhi High Court said customs officers cannot keep someone detained for more than 24 hours after contraband is recovered by relying on Section 103(8) of the Customs Act.
The court said the 24-hour clock starts when a person's freedom is restricted. That matters because customs authorities must produce the person before a magistrate on time.
What the reporting says
The Delhi High Court held that Section 103(8) of the Customs Act cannot be used to keep a person in custody beyond 24 hours after recovery of contraband. The court said the 24-hour period under Article 22(2) starts when liberty is curtailed, and that customs authorities cannot delay production before a magistrate under that provision. The ruling limits detention power in customs cases.
Why it matters
The Delhi High Court ruled in a customs detention matter that Section 103(8) of the Customs Act cannot be used to extend custody beyond 24 hours after recovery of contraband. The court tied the timeline to Article 22(2), saying the 24-hour period begins when liberty is curtailed and that customs authorities cannot delay production before a magistrate. The decision affects customs enforcement and detention procedure.