Woman Back From Thailand Trip Faces Trouble at Delhi Airport as Personal Jewellery Gets Seized  

New Delhi: A woman returning from a family trip to Thailand faced a distressing ordeal at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport after Customs officials detained and interrogated her for hours, suspecting her personal jewellery to be smuggled gold.

The woman, identified as Pooja Seth, was reportedly stopped at the Customs checkpoint, where her jewellery — including four gemstone-studded gold bangles weighing 78 grams, one gold bangle of 45 grams, and a gold chain with a pendant weighing 67 grams — was seized. The situation escalated when officials allegedly pressured her into signing a statement under duress, leading to severe emotional distress for her, her husband, and their children.

Seeking legal recourse, Seth approached the Delhi High Court. In a significant judgment, the court ruled in her favour, imposing a fine of ₹25,000 on the Customs department. The court also ordered action against the officials involved in coercing her into signing the statement.

The incident has sparked concerns among international travelers, especially regarding rules surrounding personal jewellery carried abroad. In response, a senior Customs officer clarified that while passengers are allowed to wear personal jewellery during international travel, it must be declared at the Customs office in the departure area. A form listing the jewellery details must be filled out and verified by an official, who provides a copy for the traveler to retain.

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This declaration form acts as proof on return, ensuring that the jewellery matches what was initially declared. Officials emphasized that this procedure is crucial in preventing misuse of personal items for smuggling purposes and urged passengers to comply to avoid complications at re-entry.

The case highlights the importance of awareness among travelers and proper enforcement of Customs protocols without overreach.

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