Customs officials lacked reasonable belief for confiscating imported gold, rendering proceedings invalid under Customs Act.

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....The CESTAT allowed the appeal against confiscation of gold, holding that the seizure by customs officials lacked reasonable belief of the goods being smuggled as mandated u/s 123 of the Customs Act, 1962. The appellant successfully discharged the burden of proof by producing documents regarding procurement of the gold. Confiscation u/s 111(d) was held unsustainable as the gold was importable subject to conditions. The absence of reasonable belief vitiated the entire proceedings, rendering the show cause notice and consequent adjudication bad in law.....