( 1 ) THE petitioner prays for pre-arrest bail under Section 438 read with Section 482 of the;code of criminal Procedure (hereinafter referred to as "the code" only) in a case being investigated by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence in connection with smuggling of huge quantities of fabrics resulting in large scale evasion of Customs Duty. have heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned counsel for the respondent.

( 2 ) THE facts relevant for disposal of this application, briefly stated, are that on. 28. 8. 2000 one olga Kozireva, an Uzbek national was intercepted at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. It was found that she was carrying Chinese silk of the value of about Rs. 1. 56 crores. She intended to. smuggle it into India without paying Customs Duty, which was to the tune of about Rs. 50 lacs. when her application for bail came up before an Additional Sessions Judge, certain observations were made by the Court expressing doubts that she was indulging in smuggling activities in connivance with the customs officers as she was found to be visiting India quite frequently. On the basis of these observations and on the intervention of the Central G