CESTAT sets aside confiscation of gold seized by DRI in Guwahati
DRI's Guwahati unit seized six gold bars weighing 996.020 grams from a man near Pan Bazar, Guwahati, and later four more bars from a Guwahati residence. The Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), Shillong ordered absolute confiscation plus penalties. On 24.06.2026 the CESTAT set aside the confiscation of the six bars and set aside the penalties.
This page records what the cited court, tribunal and government records say happened. Findings belong to the court or authority that made them; this register adds none of its own. Names of private individuals are withheld unless a naming gate clears them.
How we verify →The six-bar confiscation stands set aside and the penalties on the three appellants stand set aside under Final Order Nos. 75764-75766/2026.
What happened
The Tribunal recorded that 'on 27.10.2017, at about 19:00 hours,' officers of the DRI, 'Guwahati Zonal Unit,' effected the interception 'near City Bus Stop, Pan Bazar, Guwahati' and 'recovered 6 (six) pieces of gold bars collectively weighing 996.020 grams,' under 'Seizure Case No. 18/CL/IMP/GOLD/DRI/GAU/2017-18 dated 28.10.2017.'
The order notes a later recovery of 'another 4 (four) gold bars collectively weighing 664.220 grams along with Indian currency amounting to Rs.1,53,320/-' from a residence at Kumarpara, Athgaon, Guwahati, taking the adjudicated total to 'all the 10 (ten) gold bars collectively weighing 1660.240 grams' 'valued at Rs.50,70,386/-'. The Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), Shillong, by Order-in-Original No.CCP/NER/12/2019 dated 19.07.2019, had ordered absolute confiscation with penalties under Sections 111(b), 111(d) and 112(b)(i).
After hearing on 'DATE OF HEARING : 25 MAY 2026' and pronouncement on 'DATE OF PRONOUNCEMENT : 24 JUNE 2026', the Tribunal held the six-bar absolute-confiscation direction 'is held to be unsustainable and is hereby set aside,' and the penalties 'are accordingly set aside.' No violence, fraud, or complaining victim figures in the case; it was purely a customs-control seizure.
What the record says
“recovered 6 (six) pieces of gold bars collectively weighing 996.020 grams.”
CESTAT (Kolkata), Final Order Nos. 75764-75766/2026 dated 24.06.2026 — read the full text
A peaceful economic act
Carrying and storing gold harmed no one; the only allegation was breach of customs controls, with no victim, violence, fraud or adulteration involved.
What we could not confirm
The visible excerpt confirms the six-bar confiscation and all three penalties were set aside; the treatment of the remaining four bars and seized cash could not be fully confirmed from the excerpt. Appeal numbering appears across linked matters as 77221-77223 of 2019.