Goa, Dec. 4 -- The Delhi High Court has reprimanded the customs department for allegedly harassing an importer and supplier of items described as sex toys, imposing a penalty of Rs.25,000 to be recovered from the salary of the assistant commissioner involved. The court's observations came after customs officials claimed that the importer had misdeclared the goods as "body massagers," asserting they were actually "sex toys" prohibited under a 1964 notification that labels such items as obscene.

The case has reignited discussions around India's regulatory framework for adult products, an area where consumer trends have evolved far faster than the laws governing them. As sexual wellness products gain mainstream acceptance, questions continu...