Merely smuggling gold not terrorist activity, says Delhi HC; grants bail to 9 held under UAPA

New Delhi, 4/6: In a significant judgement on Friday, the Delhi High Court has declared mere smuggling of gold without any connection whatsoever to threatening economic security or monetary stability of the country cannot be described as a terrorist act.

 

 

A bench of Justices Mukta Gupta and Mini Pushkarna said possession, use, production, transfer of counterfeit currency or coin is per-se illegal and an offence. However, production, possession, use etc., of gold is not per-se illegal or an offence.

 

“Even import of gold is not prohibited but restricted subject to prescribed quantity on payment of duty. Thus, mere smuggling of gold without any connection whatsoever to threatening economic security or monetary stability of India cannot be a terrorist act,” the bench added.