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2016 (5) TMI 501 - AT - CustomsWhether clothes seized by the department were meant for export to Nepal illegally - the evidences that seized goods were meant for export, are the statements of the driver of vehicle and the helper. These statements, as brought out in the SCN, convey that goods were to be taken to Nepal through bullock carts and that goods of similar nature were brought regularly and transported to Bargania by them at an average of 12-15 times a month. Held that:- in SCN it is stated that articles of clothes were meant for Nepal. The evidences of both the driver and the helper are hearsay evidences without any corroboration and authenticity. It is not on record as to from where the driver & helper got the conviction that seized goods were to be sent to Nepal and whether on earlier occasions they had taken similar consignments of clothes to Nepal. On the contrary, the documents produced by the owner of seized clothes regarding licit acquisition of seized goods were not at all investigated by the department. So, in the absence of any other corroboration, the statements of co-accused driver and helper cannot be made the clinching evidences to decide the case against the appellants. There is also no evidence on record whether the seized goods were actually moving towards the border. Rather as per the statements of the driver and the helper also the goods were being taken to Bairgania where claimant M/s. Shyam Trading Company is doing trading in clothes. In the light of relied upon case laws it cannot be held that there was any attempt to export seized clothes. Therefore, the department has failed to establish that the goods seized from truck were meant for illegal export to Nepal. - Decided in favour of appellants with consequential relief
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