Cognizability and Bailability - CBEC's Customs Manual 2025 - Customs

14. Cognizability and Bailability: 14.1 Cognizable Offences as per Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) are those offences which are punishable with imprisonment for a term of more than three years. Further, as per Cr.PC, the offences punishable with imprisonment for a term of less than 3 years or with fine are covered in the category of non-cognizable offences. However, sub-section (4) of section 104 of the Customs Act, 1962 states that, notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), any offence relating to (a) prohibited goods; or (b) evasion or attempted evasion of duty exceeding fifty lakh rupees,. or (c) fraudulently availing of or attempting to avail drawback or any exemption from duty provided under this Act, where the amount of drawback or exemption from duty exceeds fifty lakh rupees; or (d) fraudulently obtaining an instrument for the purposes of this Act or the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, and such instrument is utilized under this Act, where duty relatable to such utilization of instrument exceeds fifty lakh rupees, shall be cognizable. Further, sub-section (5) of section 104 of the Customs Act, 1962 states that, save as otherwise provided in sub-section (4), all other offences under the Act shall be non cognizable. Section 104 (6) of the Customs Act, 1962 provides for the categories of offences punishable under Section 135 that are non-bailable and all other offences under the Act shall be bailable as per Section 104(7) of the Customs Act. The following categories of offences shall be non-bailable: i) evasion or attempted evasion of duty exceeding Rs.50 Lakhs; or ii) prohibited goods notified under Section 11 of the Customs Act, 1962 which are also notified under Section 135(1)(i)(C) of the Customs Act, 1962; or iii) import or export of any goods which are not declared as per the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 and the market price of which exceeds Rs.1 Crore; or iv) fraudulently availing of or attempt to avail of drawback or any exemption from duty, if the amount of drawback or exemption from duty exceeds Rs.50 Lakhs. ; or, v) fraudulently obtaining an instrument for the purposes of Customs Act, 1962 or the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, and such instrument is utilized under Customs Act, 1962, where duty relatable to such utilization of instrument exceeds Rs. 50 Lakhs.