Prolonged custody and penalty deposit justified conditional bail in a customs prosecution with restrictions on contacting co-accused.

Prolonged custody of more than 15 months, together with deposit of the penalty required by the adjudicating authority, justified enlargement on bail in a prosecution under the Customs Act, 1962 read with section 120B IPC. Continued detention was found unnecessary on these facts, and bail was to be granted on terms fixed by the Trial Court, including a restriction on contacting the other accused.

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Issues: Whether the petitioner was entitled to be enlarged on bail in a prosecution under the Customs Act, 1962 read with Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

Analysis: The petitioner had remained in custody for more than 15 months. The amount of penalty required by the adjudicating authority had also been deposited. In view of these circumstances, continued detention was not considered necessary, and bail was found justified on terms to be fixed by the Trial Court, including a restriction against contacting the other accused.

Conclusion: The petitioner was held entitled to bail.

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