YAMAL MANOJBHAI vs UNION OF INDIA

The Supreme Court addressed the issue of personal liberty under Article 21 in the context of a Customs Act violation, specifically regarding the right of an accused to settle disputes under Chapter XIV A of the Customs Act. The petitioner, an NRI, was arrested for attempting to smuggle high-value goods, including watches, at Delhi Airport. The Court examined whether the arrest and subsequent detention violated the petitioner’s fundamental rights, emphasizing the importance of personal liberty and procedural safeguards. The matter was referred to the Chief Justice of India due to divergence of opinion among the judges.