In the petitions, the court noticed that various travellers, tourists, and Indian citizens coming back from foreign countries were being intercepted and various items which they were wearing, including jewellery, were being detained.The court considered the Baggage Rules, 2016, and the Indian Customs Declaration form and the Guide for Travellers prepared by the CBIC and observed that the rules were quite outdated and archaic, considering the increase in the price of gold in the last several years.It noted that the Baggage Rules date back to 2016, i.e., more than nine years old and considering the present market realities, they need a re-look.The bench, in its March 27 order, said the SOP should cover all the issues, which have been highlighted by the court.The court said the CBIC, the Customs department, and the other stakeholders should also consider the manner in which the statements were recorded in standard form from all the passengers.It said the procedures for appraisal and disposal of the detained items were also required to be simplified and re-looked.The court also asked the concerned authorities to file an affidavit in terms of these directions and place before the draft SOP before it.
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