Luthra And Luthra Law Offices India Secured Bail In Rare Customs Case
Luthra And Luthra Law Offices India Secured Bail In Rare Customs Case
Luthra and Luthra Law Offices India has successfully secured a bail order for a Canadian Citizen who had been incarcerated since January 7, 2025, following his arrest at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in New Delhi. The individual was allegedly found in possession of a baby crocodile skull while attempting to board a flight to Montreal, Canada, on January 6, 2025.
The individual faced charges under Sections 11, 113, 132, and 135 of the Customs Act, 1962, which pertain to the illegal import and export of prohibited goods. If convicted, the individual would have faced a maximum sentence of up to seven years in prison.
In the bail application, filed under Section 480 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), Luthra and Luthra’s legal team led by Partner Sidhartha Das, Partner Designate Astha Nigam, Managing Associate Kshitij Asthana, and Senior Associate Aditya Rathee, argued that the individual had been falsely implicated and denied any wrongdoing. They also contended that the individual’s detention violated provisions of the BNSS, as they had not been produced before the court within the mandated 24-hour period after arrest.
The application further emphasized the individual’s status as an entrepreneur with a clean record and strong ties to their home country, making them unlikely to abscond. The team also pointed out that continued detention would serve no purpose, given the individual’s willingness to cooperate fully with the investigation.
The Patiala House Court accepted the arguments presented and granted bail, marking a significant legal victory for Luthra and Luthra Law Offices India in this rare and high-profile Customs case.
