India, Feb. 27 -- The Supreme Court on Thursday introduced necessary safeguards against coercive measures, including arrests, under the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Act and the Customs Act, adding that authorities require to establish "reasons to believe" before initiating proceedings.

The ruling by a three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, affirmed that individuals have the right to approach courts for pre-arrest bail, even in cases where no first information report (FIR) has been registered and that provisions of criminal procedure code would be applicable in cases under the GST and Custom laws.

The court also disapproved of enforcement officers using "threat and coercion" during search and seizure ope...