India, Nov. 27 -- The Delhi high court has imposed a Rs.50,000 cost liable to be deducted from the salary of the concerned official while dismissing a customs department plea for review of an order directing it to release consignments seized for containing "sex toys", citing harassment and lack of merit.

On October 30, the court directed the release after Techsync, the importer, challenged the January 24 and 31 seizure of consignments imported under the heads "Head and Chic Massagers" and "Silicone Therapy Sleeve".

The department argued that the products in the consignment were for sexual pleasure rather than massagers and that their import was prohibited as per a 1964 notification. In its review plea, the customs department said that s...