LYDIA KABUKAZI ALOYO vs CUSTOMS

Judgment text excerpt

$~ * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI % Reserved on: 16.12.2025 Pronounced on: 24.12.2025 + BAIL APPLN. 1429/2025 LYDIA KABUKAZI ALOYO .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Aniruddha Singh Rajavat, Mr. Maneesh Bhardwaj, Mr. Ankur Jain, Ms. Prachi Vats and Mr. Rohan Kumar, Advocates. versus CUSTOMS .....Respondent Through: Mr. Shubham Tyagi SSC, CBIC and. Ms. Navruti Ojha, Adv. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAVINDER DUDEJA JUDGMENT RAVINDER DUDEJA, J. 1. This is an application filed on behalf of petitioner Lydia Kabukazi Aloyo, under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 ["BNSS"] read with Section 439 Cr. PC for grant of regular bail in Complaint No. 3409/2022, registered under Sections 8/21/23/28 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 ["NDPS Act"], PS IGI Airport. BAIL APPLN. 1429/2025 Page 1 of 11 Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:VAISHALI PRUTHI Signing Date:24.12.2025 16:45:25 Brief Facts 2. The prosecution case, in brief, is that on 10.04.2022, the petitioner arrived at Terminal-3, IGI Airport, New Delhi from Sharjah. On the basis of suspicion, she was intercepted at the Green Channel by Customs officials. Despite no contraband being detected during baggage X-ray or DFMD screening, her conduct remained suspicious. Two independent panch witnesses were called, and the petitioner, along with her baggage, was taken to the Customs Preventive Room for further verification. 3. Notices under Section 50 of the NDPS Act and Sections 102 and 103 of the Customs Act, 1962 were duly served upon the petitioner. She was informed of her legal rights, including her right to be searched before a Gazetted Officer or a Magistrate. The petitioner, in writing, consented to the search being conducted by a lady Customs officer. 4. During further