Personal jewellery not prohibited under baggage rules: Delhi HC orders release of bangles

The Delhi High Court held that jewellery worn by a passenger is part of “personal effects” under the baggage rules and cannot be arbitrarily seized by customs merely because of high purity or value. It emphasised that used jewellery worn during travel falls within the scope of the Baggage Rules, 2016 and directed release of detained bangles. The ruling clarifies that customs must distinguish between ordinary jewellery and intent to smuggle, and that detention without issuing a proper show-cause notice is impermissible.