Customs officials assaulted by alleged woman gold smuggler, family; FIR lodged

A team of customs officers, including a lady, was assaulted by an alleged woman gold smuggler and her family members here, officials said on Thursday.

A case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) have been registered and police will look into the incident in which five people, including three women, were arrested and later sent to judicial custody for 14 days by a local court, they said.

The incident occurred on Sunday when the team had visited a residential premises in Pitampura in connection with a probe in gold smuggling case.

The visit was made following the arrest of a woman on Sunday by customs officials. She was arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle into the country about 2.8 kg gold valuing about Rs 86.58 lakh at Delhi airport, officials said.

During further inquiry, the woman, who had arrived from Dubai, told customs officers that she was allegedly used as a carrier in lieu of money by another woman, identified as Urmila (40), and it was claimed that she was the kingpin of a gold smuggling racket, they said.

Based on the woman's claim, the customs officers decided to visit the residential premises said to be owned by Urmila.

Once the team reached the premises, Urmila started abusing the officers and assaulted them, officials said, adding the team had to call additional personnel from Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport and police assistance was simultaneously requisitioned.

An FIR was filed at Maurya Enclave police station under Section 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and other relevant sections of the IPC, the officials said.

It was alleged by the customs department that some people pelted stones at their vehicles to deter them from carrying out their duty.

Police arrested five people, including Urmila, who are said to be relatives. They were produced before a local court that sent them to 14 days in judicial custody, they said.