2019 (6) TMI 81

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....ner : ADVS. SRI. S. KABEER AND SRI. P. E. SAJAL For The Respondents : SMT. I SHEELA DEVI-SENIOR SC FOR CUSTOMS JUDGMENT These two writ petitions are being considered together because of the analogous nature of the pleadings and because the reliefs sought for being virtually identical. 2. The pleadings on record show that the petitioners in these two cases were intercepted by the 1st an....

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....rough valid documents; but that if their passports are illegally detained in the manner as it is presently done, their lives would be destroyed because their employment abroad would stand terminated. The petitioners, therefore, pray that the respondents 1st and 2nd be directed to return their passports to them, on the specific legal contention that they have no jurisdiction to retain the same. ....

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....tions made against them; and adds that in any event of the matter, as long as the Customs Authorities are unable to show their competence to retain passports in this fashion, this Court may be pleased to direct the said Authorities to release them forthwith. 6. When I hear Sri. P E Sajal and test his submissions against those made by Smt. Sheela Devi I, I must say that I find, prima facie, some....

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.... legal or otherwise, can be entered into by the said Authority. 8. Keeping this in mind, I asked Smt. Sheela Devi I, the learned Senior Standing Counsel for Customs, as to the Competent Authority who can take a decision in this regard and she suggests that if the petitioners present themselves before the 2nd respondent- Superintendent of Customs, Cochin International Airport, on a particular da....