CESTAT upholds confiscation of 6 kg gold recovered from carriers after a Kolkata hotel stop
DRI officers went to Hotel Samrat in Kolkata on 12 June 2019. A search of Room 10 found no incriminating material; officers then took four carriers to the DRI office, where personal and baggage searches recovered six 1 kg gold bars worth Rs 2,01,60,000. On 21 August 2026, CESTAT Kolkata affirmed absolute confiscation and the Rs 25,000 penalty on each of four appellants, while reducing the fifth appellant's penalty from Rs 2,25,000 to Rs 1,00,000.
This page records what the cited court, tribunal and government records say happened. Findings belong to the court or authority that made them; this register adds none of its own. Names of private individuals are withheld unless a naming gate clears them.
How we verify →Confiscation stands affirmed as of 21 August 2026 with reduced penalty for one appellant.
What happened
The Tribunal recorded that DRI officers reached Hotel Samrat, 144 M.G. Road, Kolkata, on 12 June 2019. A search of Room 10 found no incriminating material; officers then took appellants 2 to 5 to the DRI office, where searches of their persons and baggage recovered the gold bars.
The Tribunal recorded recovery of six yellow metal bars of about one kilogram each, totalling 6000 grams and valued at Rs 2,01,60,000 at Rs 3,360 per gram.
The Tribunal recorded that none of the apprehended persons could produce any licit document for possession or transport of the gold at the time of seizure.
The Tribunal affirmed absolute confiscation of the gold and maintained penalties of Rs 25,000 each on four carriers while reducing the main penalty from Rs 2,25,000 to Rs 1,00,000.
The appeals addressed whether the gold was smuggled and whether the documents and statements supported confiscation and penalties; the Tribunal affirmed confiscation.
What the record says
“During such search, six yellow-coloured metallic bars, each weighing approximately one kilogram, were recovered.”
CESTAT Kolkata, Final Order Nos. 76121–76125/2026 dated 21.08.2026 — read the full text
A peaceful economic act
This customs case concerned carriage of gold treated by the authorities as smuggled. The Tribunal affirmed confiscation and penalties, reducing one penalty.
What we could not confirm
Smuggling origin beyond lack of documents was not detailed in the excerpt; full adjudication order was not opened.