COSTAO FERNANDES vs STATE AT THE INSTANCE OF D.S.P.,CBI,BOMB — Crl.A. No. 242/1996

Summary The Supreme Court held that Customs Officer Costao Fernandes was entitled to protection under Section 155 of the Customs Act for causing death while attempting to stop a smuggled goods vehicle. The court rejected the argument that officers' powers were limited to immobilizing vehicles only, ruling that necessary consequential actions—including immobilizing drivers who resist—fall within Section 106 authority when reasonably required to effect vehicle seizure and search. This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.