Home Case Index All Cases Customs Customs + AT Customs - 2016 (5) TMI AT This
Forgot password New User/ Regiser ⇒ Register to get Live Demo
2016 (5) TMI 553 - AT - CustomsImposition of redemption fine and penalty - Appellant not a license holder under drug and Cosmetics Act, 1940 - Neither absolute confiscation of goods nor goods were contraband - Tranexamic Acid drug imported and after found nothing questionable in the test report, allowed to re-export - Appellant contended that the exemption granted under Rule 45 ibid requires no license for import of drug of the nature imported. Held that:- penalty of confiscation is a penalty in rem which is enforced against the goods. In such case, it is not necessary for the Customs authorities to prove that any particular person is concerned with their illicit importation or exportation. It is enough, if the Department furnishes prima facie proof of the offending goods being smuggled one. The second kind of penalty is one in personam which is enforced against the person concerned in the smuggling of the goods. In such case, the Department has to prove further that the person proceeded against was concerned in the smuggling. Evidence gathered by Revenue unambiguously proved that both the appellant were contributory to the fraud committed against Customs and they made an organised bid to be enriched at the cost of the nation. It is established principle of law that fraud and justice are sworn enemies. When the collusion and fraudulent design of the exporter, importer-appellant, K. Ramlal Jain and M/s. DHL Logistics Pvt. Ltd., surfaced, the impugned goods that came to India, became no mans property and confiscation being an action in rem, the dubious claim of ownership of the goods at different point of time calls for absolute confiscation thereof without any leniency for redemption and re-export of the same. Accordingly, the order of the adjudicating authority requires to be set aside on such count and absolute confiscation of the impugned goods is hereby ordered. In the course of hearing, Revenue informed that the impugned goods have already left India on payment of redemption fine. Therefore it is left to the Chairman of the CBE&C to deal this matter as the Board may consider appropriate in the fitness of the circumstances of the case to protect interest of Revenue since the action of redemption of the goods and re-export has caused detriment to interest of justice. - Decided against the appellant
|