2014 (2) TMI 493 - HC - Customs

Release of seized documents - In the alternative, the Petitioner has prayed for a direction to the Respondents to furnish certified copies of all the documents seized by the Respondents from the office of Petitioner in a search and seizure activity conducted on 19 July 2009. - Held that - Since the Petitioner has already made a request for providing photocopies as far back as on 13 October 2009, we direct the Assistant Director of DRI, Nhava Sheva to provide the Petitioner certified photocopies of the documents seized on 19 July 2009 and which have not yet been returned to the Petitioner.

Summary

Issues:
- Petition under Article 226 for direction to release seized documents
- Request for certified copies of seized documents

Analysis:
The judgment pertains to a petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution requesting the release of documents seized during a search and seizure operation, with an alternative prayer for certified copies of the seized documents. The Respondents presented a letter dated 6 September 2013, indicating that certain documents had been returned to the petitioner upon request in the past. The court took this letter on record. The court noted that the petitioner had previously requested photocopies of the seized documents in 2009. Consequently, the court directed the Assistant Director of DRI, Nhava Sheva, to provide certified photocopies of the documents seized on 19 July 2009 that had not been returned to the petitioner. As a result, the petition was disposed of based on this direction issued by the court.