Provisional release of seized imported goods must be decided expeditiously on merits after considering security already furnished.

Pending provisional release applications for seized imported goods may be directed for expeditious decision by the customs authority under Section 110A of the Customs Act, 1962, especially where the importer has already furnished a bank guarantee and bond for the full value of the goods. The High Court did not express any view on entitlement to release, but required the authority to consider the application on merits and in accordance with law within six weeks, taking the existing security into account. The direction was confined to timely disposal of the request and did not determine the substantive claim for provisional release.

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Issues: Whether the petitioner's application for provisional release of seized imported goods under Section 110A of the Customs Act, 1962 should be directed to be decided by the customs authority within a fixed time.

Analysis: The petitioner had already applied for provisional release of the seized goods and had furnished a bank guarantee as well as a bond for the full value of the goods. The Court declined to express any opinion on the merits of the application, but noted that no prejudice would be caused to the respondents if the application was considered expeditiously. The Court also directed that the earlier furnishing of the bank guarantee and bond be taken into account while deciding the application.

Conclusion: The first respondent was directed to pass final orders on the petitioner's provisional release application on merits and in accordance with law within six weeks, after due consideration of the bank guarantee and bond already furnished.

Final Conclusion: The writ petition resulted in a time-bound direction for decision of the provisional release request, without any adjudication on the entitlement to release itself.

Ratio Decidendi: Where a provisional release application is pending, the customs authority can be directed to decide it expeditiously on merits after considering the security already furnished by the importer.

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