Citation : 2025 Latest Caselaw 1249 Guj
Judgement Date : 23 July, 2025
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD
R/SPECIAL CIVIL APPLICATION NO. 10690 of 2002
With
R/SPECIAL CIVIL APPLICATION NO. 10691 of 2002
With
R/SPECIAL CIVIL APPLICATION NO. 10692 of 2002
With
R/SPECIAL CIVIL APPLICATION NO. 10693 of 2002
FOR APPROVAL AND SIGNATURE:
HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE BHARGAV D. KARIA
and
HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE PRANAV TRIVEDI
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Approved for Reporting Yes No
✔
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RADO BRASS INDUSTRIES & ANR.
Versus
UNION OF INDIA & ORS.
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Appearance:
MR DHAVAL SHAH(2354) for the Petitioner(s) No. 1,2
DEEPAK N KHANCHANDANI(7781) for the Respondent(s) No. 2
NOTICE NOT RECD BACK for the Respondent(s) No. 1,3
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CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE BHARGAV D. KARIA
and
HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE PRANAV TRIVEDI
Date : 23/07/2025
ORAL JUDGMENT
(PER : HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE BHARGAV D. KARIA)
1. These petitions are filed along with SCA
No. 10689 of 2002. In SCA No. 10689 of 2002,
the Division Bench of this Court passed two
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different Orders as there was difference of
opinion between the members of the Bench and
the matter was placed before the Hon'ble Chief
Justice and the matter was assigned to a third
Judge.
2. In view of the above development, these
matters were not heard by the Division Bench,
awaiting the outcome of the SCA No. 10689 of
2002, as all the matters are arising from the
common issue of challenge to the show-cause
notice issued by the respondent No.3-
Additional Director General, Directorate of
Revenue Intelligence, Mumbai (DRI) dated
27.8.2002.
3. Pursuant to the investigation carried out
by the DRI, Gandhidham who gathered
intelligence that M/s. RSI Ltd, Calcutta had
exported CD ROMS at grossly over invoiced
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value under DEPB Scheme with intent to
fraudulently obtain DEPB credit and thereby
cause evasion of Customs duty.
4. Pursuant to such intelligence information,
the Officers of the DRI carried out search at
the business premises of the CHAs at Kandla/
Gandhidham on 12.1.1999, which resulted in
recovery of various incriminating documents
which were seized under four Panchnamas of the
same date. It was the case of the DRI that on
scrutiny of such seized documents, it was
revealed that in September, 1997, M/s. RSI
Ltd. had exported 2,00,000 Pcs of CD ROMS
under DEPB Scheme from the Port of Kandla
under 35 Shipping bills for a total declared
value of Rs.16.60 Crores to M/s. Shebab
International Pte Ltd, Singapore and the port
of discharge was shown as New York.
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5. Investigation further revealed that in
respect of the 35 consignments of CD ROMS
exported by M/s. RSI Ltd., Calcutta, four (04)
DEPB Licences for a total credit to the tune
of Rs.3,32,17,874/- were issued on post export
basis by the office of the Jt. DGFT (CLA) New
Delhi. M/s. RSI Ltd., Calcutta had
subsequently sold/ transferred the four DEPB
Licences to various parties.
6. The petitioners are one of those parties
who have purchased such DEPB Licences which
were sold/ transferred by M/s. RSI Ltd.
Calcutta and, therefore, the impugned show-
cause notice is issued by the DRI wherein the
petitioners were joined as co-noticees by
making them liable for payment of duty on the
goods which were imported duty-free against
the aforesaid DEPB Licences.
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7. Being aggrieved, the petitioners have
preferred these petitions challenging the
jurisdiction to issue show-cause notice by the
respondent authority.
8. It was contended by the learned advocate
Mr. Dhaval Shah for the petitioner that the
show-cause notice issued by the DRI invoking
the extended period of limitation of 5 years
for raising the demand without recording the
prima-facie satisfaction and without even an
allegation in the notice that the said duty
has not been levied or had been short levied
by reason of collusion or willful mis-
statement or suppression of facts by the
petitioners, would render such notice without
jurisdiction and non est.
9. It was further submitted that
transferrable DEPB (Duty Entitlement Pass
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Book) had been issued by the competent
authority on Post exports basis against
exports already made, as opposed to a Pre-
export basis, after due verification by such
authority and, therefore, it is not open to
the respondents to seek recovery of Customs
duty from the transferees who, relying upon
the department, have parted with valuable
consideration for the same.
10. It was, therefore, submitted that the
impugned notices are liable to be quashed and
set-aside.
11. It was also submitted by learned advocate
Mr. Dhaval Shah for the petitioner that as per
the provisions of sub-section (1) of Section
28 of the Customs Act, proceedings under the
said provisions can be initiated beyond period
of six months from the relevant date and only
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in cases in which duty has not been levied or
has been short levied, etc. by reason of
collusion or any willful mis-statement or
suppression of fact by the importer or
exporter or the Agent or the employee of the
importer or exporter. It was submitted that on
perusal of the impugned show-cause notice, the
petitioner is the importer and in the entire
show-cause notice, there is not a single
allegation of collusion or mis-statement or
suppression of material facts with intent to
evade the duty against the petitioner and,
therefore, so far as the petitioners are
concerned, the respondents could not have
invoked the extended period of limitation.
12. In support of his submissions, learned
advocate Mr. Shah referred to and relied upon
the following decisions:
1. Collector of Central Excise Vs.
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Chemphar Drugs & Liniments, reported in
1989 (40) ELT 276 (SC);
2. Arora Matthey Ltd. vs. Commissioner of
C. Ex., Calcutta-1, reported in 1999 (112)
ELT 11 (Cal);
3. Panama Chemical Works vs. Union of
India, reported in 1992 (62) ELT 241 (MP)
4. Pushpam Pharmaceuticals Company Vs.
Collector of Central Excise, Bombay,
reported in 1995 Supp (3) SCC 462 (SC);
5. J.M. Baxi and Co. Vs. Commissioner of
Customs, New Kandla, reported in 2000
(120) ELT 29 (SC).
Referring to the above decisions, it was
submitted that it is a settled position of law
that for the purpose of invoking jurisdiction
under Section 28 of the Act beyond a period of
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six months from the relevant date, there has
to be an allegation of collusion or any
willful mis-statement or suppression of facts
in the show-cause notice against the Noticee.
13. Learned advocate Mr. Shah also relied
upon the decision of the Hon'ble Supreme Court
in the case of L. Hriday Narain v. Income Tax
Officer Bareilli, AIR 1971 SC 33, wherein the
petitioner moved the Hon'ble High Court of
Allahabad and the High Court had entertained
the petition. The Supreme Court in the said
decision held that if the High Court did not
entertain the petition, the petitioner could
have moved the Commissioner in revision
because on the date on which the petition was
moved, the period prescribed by section 33A of
the Act had not expired.
14. Learned advocate Mr. Shah also referred to
and relied upon the decision of the Hon'ble
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Apex Court in case of Whirlpool
Corporation Vs. Registrar of Trademarks,
Mumbai and others, reported in 1998 (8) SCC 1,
for the proposition that the jurisdiction of
the High Court in entertaining a writ petition
under Article 226 of the Constitution, in
spite of the alternative statutory remedies,
would be exercised in a case where the
authority against whom the writ is filed is
shown to have had no jurisdiction or had
purported to usurp jurisdiction without any
legal foundation.
15. On the merits of the matter, it was
submitted that the petitioners had purchased
the DEPB Licence as a bonafide purchaser
without having any iota of doubt as the said
licencees were duly authorised by the DGFT
and, therefore, the petitioner has nothing to
do with the procurement of the Licence by
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alleged illegal means by the M/s. RSI Ltd.
Calcutta. It was, therefore, submitted that in
such circumstances the impugned show-cause
notices are without jurisdiction.
16. On the other hand, learned advocate Mr.
Deepak Khanchandani for the respondent on a
query raised by this Court as to what has
happened in case of M/s. RSI Ltd and M/s.
Adani Exports Ltd.,who are co-noticees in the
impugned show-cause notices, learned advocate
placed on record the order-in-original dated
2.5.2017 passed by the DRI, Mumbai whereby the
proceedings under show-cause notice dated
27.8.2002 of which the petitioners are also
co-noticees have been dropped.
17. In view of the above developments, which
have taken place, when the proceedings under
the same show-cause notice against M/s.RSI
Ltd, who has alleged to have obtained the
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Licencees by fraudulent export, is dropped,
the petitioners who are beneficiary to the
licencee cannot be subjected to any further
proceedings pursuant to the same show-cause
notice.
18. It was also pointed out by learned
advocate Mr. Deepak Khanchandani that the
order-in-original dated 2.5.2017 passed by the
DRI Mumbai is subject matter of challenge
before the CESTAT.
19. We are, therefore, of the opinion that
even if the show-cause notice is permitted to
proceeded following the decision in case of
M/s. RSI Ltd, vide order dated 2.5.2017, the
proceedings under the show-cause notice qua
the petitioners have to be dropped. It would
be, therefore, germane to refer to the
findings arrived at by DRI Mumbai in the
order-in-original dated 2.5.2017 as under:
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"4.1.2 I find that in nutshell, the nature of the exported CD ROMS and its valuation is the crux of this case and as per the evidences brought out, M/s RSI Ltd. had exported 2,00,000 pcs of CD ROMS under DEPB scheme, under 35 shipping bills for a total declared value of Rs. 16.60 Crores to M/s Shebab International Pte Ltd. Singapore. It is on record and never disputed that for the said exports, they were issued 04(four) DEPB Licenses for a total credit to the tune of Rs. 3,32,17,874/- on post export basis. I also find that these DEPB Licenses, alleged to have been fraudulently obtained, were subsequently transferred to various importers, who in turn, utilized the same for their imports. I notice that the imports were challenged subsequently, by DRI, for being imported duty free, utilizing the scrips duly obtained/purchased from the exporter RSI Ltd., who is being alleged to have obtained the same fraudulently, by grossly overvaluing the value and obtaining undue DEPB credits.
4.1.3 I find that out of the 15 titles exported, the titles Advanced Games, Panchatantra, The Jungle Book, My Talking
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Dictionary and Animation Tour were found to have been exported by PPL to M/s Multimedia Intertrade Singapore and M/s Intermetalico, Singapore and the exports carried out by these respective firms were @US$ 1.60.
Similarly, the following 5 titles were exported by M/s Harshita Ltd. i) Panchatantra
ii) Animation Tour iii) Pochontas iv) Rainbow Children Park v) Animated Word Book and enquiries from the buyers overseas revealed that they had purchased the sme for US$ 0.50 to US $ 1.00. The titles 1) My talking dictionary 2) Animation Tour 3) Advanced Games 4) Rainbow Children Park and My Animation Work Book were common with those exported by M/s Intermetailco Pte. Ltd. Singapore and M/s Multimedia Intertrade (S) Pte. Ltd. Singapore to M/s Mulsync Trends Inc. USA and the value of these titles were only US$ 2.50. I find that investigation pointed out that overseas inquiries in USA conducted through Consulate General of India, New York revealed that the consignments covered by all the 35 Shipping Bills were actually cleared by M/s Pacific Software Inc. for a value of only US$ 2,11,050/- against the Invoice issued by M/s Shebab International Ltd. who is the consignee in
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the impugned exports by RSI Ltd. It was further specified that out that against the FOB value of about US$ 4.6 million (appx. Rs. 16.6 Crore) declared to Indian Customs by M/s RSI Ltd, the goods were cleared in the USA for a mere US$ 2,11,050/- against an invoice of the same amount issued by M/s Shebab International Pte. Ltd., the consignee in the impugned exports carried out by M/s RSI Ltd. Accordingly, on conclusion of the investigation proceedings, investigation proposed re-determination of value as Rs. 75,61,921/- from the declared value of approx. Rs. 16.6 Crores and thereby reduced the DEPB credit accordingly. Investigation concluded that the exporters M/s RSI Ltd. were entitled to DEPB credit of only Rs. 15,12,384/- as against availed credit of Rs. 3,32,17,874/-, based on re-determination of value. Thus, an amount of Rs. 3,17,06,429/- was allegedly the non-entitled one, which is proposed to be recovered from the importers and exporters. I find that it is an undisputable fact on record that the DEPB Licence, which is alleged to have been obtained fraudulently by M/s RSI Ltd., were subsequently transferred to M/s Adani Ltd. who in turn utilized, part of the Licence for
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their imports and also sold these licences to various other importers who also utilized the same for their respective imports. I find that the Show Cause has demanded the differential duty, from the exporters and importers, under Section 28 of the Customs Act, 1962. Besides demanding differential duty and interest leviable thereon, the Show Cause Notice also proposed confiscation of the impugned goods under Section 113(d) and 111(0) of the Customs Act, 1962. Similarly, penal provisions under Section 112 and 114 were invoked on the importers and exporters, respectively.
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4.1.5 I find that investigation revealed that the impugned goods were purchased by RSI Ltd. from PPL. It is on record that PPL failed to produce any licence/agreement of details of payments of royalty/licence fees for replication of the CD ROMS exported/sold by them. Further, it was revealed during investigations by US Customs that PPL. had no authority or licence to replicate any products belonging to GD Micro, LLC, Micro Media Publishers Inc., or associated Cos. and
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PPL had pirated all these titles. The CD ROMS exported by M/s RSI under DEPB Scheme were also supplied by PPL. Investigation pointed out that as PPL did not produce any copyright to duplicate these CD ROM titles, these duplications were apparently done in violation of the copyright laws and therefore the price at which M/s PPL had shown to have sold the CD ROMS to M/s RSI Ltd. could not be accepted as the present Market value of these CD ROMS. It was also revealed that only 0.46% of the total production of CD ROMS were sold by M/s PPL in the Indian market and that too in very small quantities. Accordingly, investigation concluded that the selling price of unauthorized, pirated and outdated CD ROMS shown by M/s PPL for sale of CD ROMS to M/sRSI (and other exporters) cannot be accepted as the correct PMV of these CD ROMS.
4.1.6 I also notice that investigation pointed out that the transactions between M/sRSI Ltd. and other exporters, who are allegedly engaged in export of CD ROMS at an inflated value and M/s Padmini Polymers Ltd. donot appear at arm's length. It was also pointed out that the 4 DEPB's which were transferred by RSI Ltd. to M/s Adani Exports
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Ltd. were purchased by them (Adani) at a price equivalent to only 60% of the credit value of the DEPB Licences, which outrightly revealed their malafide intent and their role in being beneficiaries to the alleged fraud.
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4.1.13 I find that the Noticees M/s RSI Ltd. purchased the goods from M/s Padmini Polyrners. I find that it is an undisputable fact on record that the exports of M/s Padmini Polymers are in excess as compared to the domestic sale. This is the primary version attributed by DRI in rejecting the domestic sale price, as the transaction value. It is also a matter of fact that Hon'ble CESTAT has observed that the 0.5% of the domestic sale price totally corroborates the transaction value in case of the export. Similarly, the corroborative elements, which undoubtedly raises a suspicion, in linking the exports cannot in any manner, be confirmed as related party transaction, which could have been the basis for rejection of transaction value. It is also a fact on record that the domestic sale price totally corroborates with the FOB values declared in
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the Shipping Bill. Similarly, it is on record that M/s Padmini Polymers had levied Central Excise duty on the impugned goods. It is also on record that FOB value declared in the Shipping bills vis-à-vis the purchase price from the supplier i.e. Padmini Polymers depict a marginal increase, which undoubtedly, can be attributed to as "gain" in the transaction. Also the declared FOB value, in the instant case is less than 150% of AR4, thus complying with one of the prescribed criterion in the Board's Circular. Similarly, the Board's Circular had also given authority to the SIIB officers to prima facie examine, whether the declared value is 150% of AR4 or more. It has been prescribed that if it is more, market value needs to be conducted and a show cause Notice has to be issued, In this regard. It is a fact on record that the declared value in this case is less than the criterion prescribed by the Board. There is also nothing on record that the assessing officers pointed out any discrepancy, disputing the declared FOB value. With respect to the receipt of export remittance, I notice that the investigating agency pointed out that the export remittances were not received in full.
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However, I find that this is insufficient and inadmissible evidence, to rule in, fraudulent intention and a basis for rejection of the declared value, for the reason that, the export benefits are accorded to the exporters, after the due prescribed procedure is being followed by the Department. There is nothing on record which reveal that the Department had any time questioned about non- receipt of export remittance, which undisputedly, forms an important criterion in allowing export promotion benefits. It is also a fact that DGFT, after examining the due records of exports, provided the exporters with DEPB credits, which is being challenged by the department by the aforementioned Show Cause Notices, citing reasons of non-entitlement due to over- valuation aspect. Accordingly, the reason of non-receipt of export remittance fully, cannot be a basis for rejection of transaction value or rather ruling in, fraudulent motive, more so, when the eligibility of the same was duly verified by the Department and DGFT. I further find that Hon'ble CESTAT has ruled out the observations of the department, by relying upon the Board's Circular. The Board's Circular
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explicitly mentioned about the scope of rejection of transaction value and the criteria, when market inquiry needs to be conducted. It is a fact on record that the impugned goods well fits, within the purview of the criterion, as determined by the Board. I find that the impugned goods, the supplier and the method of valuation adopted are similar to the impugned goods, which passed through litigation stages, and attained finality, wherein Hon'ble Apex Court upheld the Order of the Hon'ble CESTAT.
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4.1.15 After, deciding on the issue of whether the declared value is the fair transaction value, in the impugned proceedings, I now proceed, to decide upon the 2nd aspect of allegation i.e. demand of duty alleged to have obtained by resorting to duty free imports under the aforementioned licences by the importers. It is on record that the noticee importers utilized the scrips for the duty free imports which is alleged to have obtained fraudulently. It is noticed that the importers who imported by using the said DEPB scrips, which is alleged
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to have been obtained by fraudulent means by M/s RSI Ltd. (the exporter) and transferred to the importers by M/s Adani, Exports Ltd. who subsequently, utilized part of the same for their imports and sold the remaining to various importers, who also, in tum, utilized the same for their imports. The SCN alleged that since the respective imports are made by utilizing the DEPB obtained fraudulently, the import duty foregone amounting to Rs. 3,17,06,429/- is recoverable from the Importers and Exporters jointly and collectively under the proviso to Section 28(1) of the Customs Act, 1962. I find that the extant provisions which enables the department to recover duty in case of export incentives received by the exporters and a fraudulent intention against the said receipt is ruled in, is proviso to Section 28AAA of the Customs Act, 1962. It is expressly clear in terms of explanation (2) to the subsection, the said provisions would be restricted to the utilization of scrips on or after the date on which the Finance Bill received the assent of the President i.e. 28.05.2012 in this case. Therefore I find that introduction of Section 28AAA of the Customs Act, 1962 also limits the recovery of
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such duty forgone from 28.05.2012 onwards only. The impugned goods prima facie does not fit into the norms of recovery proceedings as per the extant provisions. Besides the legal provisions, which restrict recovery, I also take cognizance of my findings on the issue of declared transaction value. I have already held that the transaction value declared by the exporters are fair value and cannot be rejected, thereby also concluding that the DEPB entitlements are genuine. It is also a fact that the DEPB/DEEC credits are accorded to the exporter, after the same is duly certified by the Department and also thoroughly evaluated by DGFT. Once, the entitlements are held to the genuine, the same totally negates the subsequent allegation of demand of duty from the exporters. Accordingly, taking cognizance of the Apex Court verdict and the extant provisions in force, I refrain from demanding the differential duty from the exporters.
4.1.16 Now, I proceed towards the 3rd point of determination, i.e. demand of duty foregone from the importers. As discussed above, I have already held that the transaction value declared by the exporters
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are fair value and cannot be rejected, thereby concluding that the DEPB benefits are genuine. Once, the entitlements are held to the genuine, the same totally negates the subsequent allegation of demand of duty from the importers. It is also a fact on record that the importers in the instant case, purchased the scrips from Adani Exports Ltd. which were transferred to them by M/s RSI Ltd. The Show Cause Notice has invoked penal provisions on the importers, who utilized the scrips, alleged to have been obtained fraudulently, for their respective imports under Section 112 and 114A of the Customs Act, 1962. Further the scrips were issued by the DGFT after verification of the exports by the Customs & DGFT authorities and the same were made transferable by DGFT. Further during the time of purchase of the scrips the importers were unaware of the fraudulent nature of the scrips. Even in the show cause notice it is nowhere alleged that the importers had colluded with the exporters. Also, during the time of import of the goods the scrips were valid. I find that the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Sneha Sales Corporation - 2000 (121) ELT 163 (SC) has held that the subsequent cancellation of
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notices could not affect the imports already made prior to such cancellation. Thus, the benefits of DEPB/ VKGUY scrips could not be denied to the importers. Therefore, I am of the view that there was no improper importation of the goods on the part of the importers and hence I find that no penalty can be imposed on the importers under section 112 of the Customs Act, 1962. Further, as there was no suppression or mis-declaration on the part of the noticee importers I find that no penalty under Section 114A of the Customs Act, 1962 is applicable. In support of my stand, I find that the CESTAT, WZB vide its order A/2919-2994/15/CB dated 18.08.2015 has in a similar issue held that "the confiscation of goods imported by the appellants who are transferees of the licenses scrips does not arise. The demands of duty against them are set aside". Accordingly, I refrain from demanding duty and also from imposing penalty on the importers."
20. In view of the above findings arrived at
by the DRI, even on merits the show-cause
notice would not be tenable against the
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petitioners who have purchased DEPB Licence
from open market on payment of consideration
for import of the goods without payment of
duty. It is also pertinent to note that the
demand raised qua the petitioners are below
the threshold limit challenging the order by
the Revenue before the CESTAT and, therefore,
even if the decision is reversed against M/s.
RSI Ltd by the CESTAT in view of the order-in-
original which is in operation since 2017, but
for pendency of these petitions would have
been followed by the respondent in last 8
years.
21. Therefore, considering the overall facts
and the subsequent developments which have
taken place coupled with the fact that it is
not in dispute that there is no collusion or
any willful mis-statement or suppression of
fact alleged in the impugned show-cause
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notice, which would have permitted the
respondent to extend the period of limitation
by 5 years, as per provision of Section 28(1)
of the Act, impugned notice would not survive.
22. Therefore, on both counts, on the ground
of jurisdiction as well as on merits in view
of subsequent developments, the impugned show-
cause notice would not survive. The impugned
show-cause notice dated 27.8.2002 so far as
the petitioners are concerned, is hereby
quashed and set-aside. Rule is made absolute
to the aforesaid extent. No order as to costs.
(BHARGAV D. KARIA, J)
(PRANAV TRIVEDI,J) SAJ GEORGE
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