1. This Writ Petition is filed praying to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records on the file of the third respondent made in 373/60/B/2001-RA and by order No.11 of 2002 dated 28.01.2002, confirming the orders of the first respondent dated 3.1.2001 and the second respondent dated 3.4.2001, quash the same and direct the respondents to release the 10 Nos. of gold bars weighing 1165 grams valued at Rs.4,78,081.00 to the petitioner being the subject matter of the Order O.S.No.254 of 2000-INT dated 03.01.2001 on the file of the first respondent.

2. On 11.12.2000, the officers of Anna International Airport, Chennai, while maintaining surveillance over the passengers and their baggages arrived by Indian Airlines flight IC574 from Colombo, intercepted a passenger by name Shri S.Aiyakannu, holder of Srilankan Passport No.M0444299 dated 7.12.1998 issued at Colombo. While the petitioner/passenger was at the green channel, the officers on suspicion and on reasonable belief that the passenger was trying to clear dutiable goods without declaration and payment of duty stopped him at the said place and verified the baggage. The petitioner/ passenger stated that