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1991 Supreme(Raj) 608

RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT
N.C.Sharma, J.
Gulam Husain - Appellant
Versus
Customs and Central Excise Deptt. - Respondent
S.B. Cr. Misc. Bail Application No. 729 of 1991.
Decided On : 25-03-1991

The court's decision was based on the specific provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 regarding bail and the territorial jurisdiction of the concerned Court at Jaipur.

Headnote:

Jurisdiction - Customs Act, 1962 - Bail Order

Fact of the Case:

The petitioner was arrested by the customs authorities for an offence under the Customs Act, 1962, which is not a cognizable offence. The petitioner sought bail.

Finding of the Court:

The court found that the permanent Bench of the Jaipur High Court had jurisdiction over the case as the offence was not cognizable and the complainant could only be filed in the concerned Court at Jaipur, which had territorial jurisdiction over the State. The court also noted that the Customs Act, 1962 does not provide the Magistrate with the power to remand the person arrested to judicial custody.

Issues: Jurisdiction of the permanent Bench of the Jaipur High Court and bail application under the Customs Act, 1962.

Ratio Decidendi: The court's decision was influenced by the lack of power given to the Magistrate to remand the person arrested to judicial custody under the Customs Act, 1962, and the specific territorial jurisdiction of the concerned Court at Jaipur.

Final Decision: The court allowed the application and ordered the petitioner to be released on bail upon furnishing a personal bond and sureties to the satisfaction of the Judicial Magistrate, Economic Offences, Jaipur.

JUDGMENT

1. - Heard So far as the question of jurisdiction of the permanent Bench of the Jaipur High Court is concerned. I am of the view that it has jurisdiction because the offence is not a cognizable offence & the complainant can only be filed in the concerned Court at Jaipur which has territorial jurisdiction over the State. The case, therefore arises from Jaipur District.

2. The petitioner was arrested by the customs authorities on 12th Feb. 1991 and was produced before the Magistrate. As already stated, the offence under the Customs Act, 1962 is not a cognizable offence. Under subsection (3) of Section 104, even the officer of the custom has the power to enlarge the person arrested on bail. If he does not enlarge the person arrested on bail, he has to produce the person arrested without unnecessary delay before a Magistrate. There is no power given in the Act, to the Magistrate to remand the person arrested to judicial custody. Section 167 of Code of Criminal Procedure does not apply. That Section applies to an investigation carried out by an officer incharge of Police Station.

3. I, therefore, allow this application and order that the petitioner will subject to his furnishing personal bond in the sum of Rs. 50,000/- (Rs. fifty thousands) with two sureties in the sum of Rs. 25,000/- each to the satisfaction of the Judicial Magistrate, Economic Offences, Jaipur to appear before him whenever called upon to do so, be released on bail.

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