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1965 (10) TMI 63 - SC - FEMAWhether s. 23 (1) (a), having, been substituted by the Amending Act XXXIX of 1957, would have retrospective operation in respect of the alleged offence, which took place in 1954? Held that:- 23(1) (a) prescribes a minimum penalty while under the old s. 23(1) the Magistrate had an option of fixing a fine less than the minimum prescribed under s. 23 ( 1 ) (a). But we are unable to agree with him that the new section prescribes any minimum. What it does prescribe is a maximum. The words "not exceeding" cover not only the expression "three times the value of the foreign exchange" but also the words "five thousand rupees" Therefore, no greater penalty than might have-been levied under the old section has been prescribed by the new section 23 (1 ) (a), and consequently there is no breach of art. 20(1) of the Constitution. the offence is alleged to have been committed in 1954 and notice of adjudication was sent in 1958 and now we axe in the year 1965. It would be expedient if the adjudication proceedings are disposed of as expeditiously as possible. Appeal allowed.
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