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2020 (10) TMI 1136 - HC - CustomsGrant of Anticipatory Bail - Smuggling Gold - applicant would submit that there is no embargo under the Customs Act from seeking pre-arrest bail - Section 108 of the Customs Act - HELD THAT:- An offence under the Customs Act is undoubtedly an economic offence of grave nature and the Hon'ble Supreme Court has held in a number of cases, including in P. CHIDAMBARAM VERSUS DIRECTORATE OF ENFORCEMENT [2019 (9) TMI 286 - SUPREME COURT], wherein it was held that power under Section 438 Cr.PC being an extraordinary remedy has to be exercised sparingly; more so, in cases of economic offences, and that economic offences stand as a different class as they affect the economic fabric of the society. The applicant has not yet been made an accused. But he apprehends arrest. There are no sufficient material to show that he will be arrested. Merely because he was questioned for 60 hours by the Customs Department does not indicate that he is intended to be made an accused - The fact that the applicant was in constant contact with one of the prime witness, namely Swapna Suresh, and that he had even volunteered to help her by contacting his Chartered Accountant and asking him to assist her in managing her finances indicates that there is a fair possibility that applicant knew about the involvement of Swapna Suersh in the alleged smuggling activity. The power of the Customs Department to question the applicant under Section 108 cannot be curtailed by granting anticipatory bail. The relief sought for is undoubtedly premature - the applicant is not entitled to anticipatory bail - Bail application dismissed.
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