CHANDRAKANT KRISHNARAO PRADHANAND ANOTHER vs THE COLLECTOR OF CUSTOMS, BOMBAYAND OTHERS

The Supreme Court upheld the validity of the Customs House Agents Licensing Rules, 1960, stating that they do not contravene Articles 14 and 19 of the Constitution. The Court found that the Chief Customs authority has the power to make rules under Section 202 of the Sea Customs Act, 1878, and that the rules serve public interest and impose reasonable restrictions. Specifically, the requirements for evidence of respectability and knowledge of customs procedures were deemed valid under Article 19(6). The Court affirmed that the rules are consistent with the Act and serve its purposes.