Delhi High Court upholds confiscation of 25 lakh foreign cigarettes and Rs 25 lakh penalty
Customs ordered absolute confiscation of 25,01,200 foreign cigarette sticks and a Rs 25 lakh penalty. The Delhi High Court recorded the seizure from a vehicle and a godown. On 13 February 2026 it dismissed the trader's appeal.
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 appeal stands dismissed and the confiscation and penalty stand upheld.
What happened
The High Court recorded that DRI officers acted on the night of 20th/21st December, 2018, leading to recovery of 150 cigarette cartons from a light commercial vehicle and 33 cartons from a godown.
The High Court recorded that the adjudicating authority ordered absolute confiscation of the smuggled sticks and imposed a penalty amounting to Rs. 25,00,000.
The High Court recorded that the appellant was present at the spot and was detained, and that the goods were foreign-origin cigarettes with no duty paid.
The High Court held that the appeal lacked merit and dismissed it, leaving the confiscation and penalty in place.
What the record says
“It was evaluated that the total 25,01,200 cigarette sticks of foreign origin were seized from the aforesaid consignment.”
[name withheld] vs Commissioner of Customs Preventive, Delhi High Court judgment dated 13 February 2026, reasons paragraph — read the full text
A peaceful economic act
Moving ordinary cigarettes without paying duty harmed no complaining victim, with no violence, fraud, minors or spurious product alleged.
What we could not confirm
Godown street address and district in Delhi could not be confirmed from the excerpt; only vehicle number, Shakarpur residence, and IGI Airport reference were visible.