That being so, it is a case where in an unauthorized and illegal manner usurping the power which was not available to them either under the Customs Act of 1962 or under the Foreign Trade Development Regulations Act, 1992 the vehicle in question along with its 11 cartons of chocolates and candies, 6 bundles of cloths and 6 bundles of shoes and slippers have been seized by the authorities. This is an illegal seizure and this cannot be permitted under law, and therefore, we direct the Respondent No. 3 ad 6 to immediately release the vehicle in question along with all the goods to the petitioner within 24 hours of production of a certified copy of this order. It is a fit case where compensatory cost should have been granted to the petitioner for the illegal act of the respondents but in the facts and circumstances of the case, warning the authorities to be careful in future, we, for the present, do not impose any cost. However, because of the illegal seizure if any damage has been caused to the petitioner either to the vehicle or the goods seized, the petitioner will have liberty to seek damages and compensation from the authorities by taking recourse to such procedure as may be permissible under law.
