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2015 (1) TMI 977 - HC - FEMAContravention of the provisions of Sections 8(1), Section 6(4) and Section 6(5) read with Section 7 of Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1973 - Imposition of penalty - Sale of foreign currency at higher value - Held that:- Two persons identified themselves as Hanif and Rajesh Mhatre of Hotel Zam Zam. Mhatre was carrying briefcase along with him. A search revealed that one Suleman Patel with the help of Ms. Pinky Jaisinghani and Sanjay Jadhwani were operating two FFMCs. As a result of the search documents, the authorities recovered and seized the articles under a Panchanama. The identical allegations pertaining to Hanif and Mhatre tendering two pay orders along with the advice letter on the cash counter of M/s. LKP Merchant Financing Ltd. are to be found in the present show cause notice. The statements of all these persons were recorded by the officers of D.R.I. The partner of the present appellants stated that the appellant’s firm has obtained FMC license, dated 28th September 1996 issued by the Reserve Bank of India for dealing with purchase of foreign currency, that he was the person responsible for day to day operation of foreign currency dealing. The foreign currency was sold to Hotel Zam zam, which was admittedly the licensed full fledged foreign money changer. It is in these circumstances that we are of the opinion that some of the allegations on page no. 55 of the paper book pertaining to lack of authorization should not be seen in isolation. Court is unable to accept the argument that the money or the foreign exchange leaving the authorized persons and reaching or being passed off to the unauthorized person was not the matter which was dealt with by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. Further, violation and contravention emphasized by him was not the subject matter of the Supreme Court judgment and proceedings. Once the Supreme Court was dealing with an identical allegation, identical breach and of similar legal provision and manual, then, we are unable to accept Shri Desai’s argument. The Hon’ble Supreme Court’s judgment is binding upon us. It is too well settled to require any reiteration that the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court continues to bind us and will not lose its binding value merely because some argument which was canvassed before us was not raised or certain aspects were not considered or the relevant provisions were not brought to the notice of the Court. When we find that the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court is dealing with the identical controversy, similar legal provision and even the allegations in the show cause notices are common, then, it would cover the matter fully. - Impugned order set aside - Following decision of Tulip Star Hotels Ltd., Peter Kerkar Versus Special Director of Enforcement [2014 (1) TMI 1348 - SUPREME COURT] - Decided in favour of assessee.
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