The Delhi High Court has directed customs officials to ensure that travellers are not harassed or subjected to unnecessary detention of their old and personal jewellery, including ornaments worn during travel, at airports.

A bench comprising Justices Prathiba M Singh and Rajneesh Kumar Gupta issued the directive after being informed by the Customs department that the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) is conducting a detailed stakeholder consultation and requires additional time to amend the Baggage Rules.

The court was hearing over 30 petitions challenging the Customs department’s procedure for detaining goods belonging to travellers—both Indian and foreign nationals—entering India.

Observing the need for immediate action, the bench directed the Customs department to sensitize its officials, ensuring that jewellery worn or carried by Indian travellers is not routinely detained. "Customs officials must ensure that old jewellery, personal ornaments worn by travellers, or used jewellery are not unnecessarily seized, preventing any harassment of passengers arriving in India," the court stated.

Additionally, the court directed that if amendments to the Baggage Rules are not finalized by the next hearing, the Customs department must submit a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) by May 19 to be followed until the rules are updated.

The court took note of multiple instances where Indian citizens and international tourists were intercepted, and their jewellery and personal items were detained. It reviewed the Baggage Rules, 2016, the Indian Customs Declaration form, and the CBIC’s Guide for Travellers, remarking that these regulations appear outdated, especially considering the rising price of gold in recent years.