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2016 (5) TMI 1041 - HC - CustomsSeeking cross-examination of two persons whose statements were relied upon while issuing the SCN - Cross-examination denied by the order that "there is no such direction in the above referred order of Hon’ble High Court of Delhi and also the same was also never sought by you at the time of adjudication proceedings held earlier in the said matter.” - Held that:- the reason given is plainly untenable apart from the fact that the AC who passed the above order is not the AA himself. It is pointed out by the Respondents that the order passed by the AC was approved by the Commissioner and, therefore, it could not be said that it was without jurisdiction. The Court is unable to accept the above submission. Once the adjudicating proceedings are conducted by the Commissioner, it is he alone who was to pass orders in relation to any aspect of the adjudication and that cannot be delegated to any subordinate authority. Therefore, the Court finds no justification for denying the request for cross-examination of the two persons whose statements have been relied upon by the Customs Department. The impugned order is quashed with a direction to AA to permit the Petitioner to cross-examine the two persons within a time schedule to be fixed by the AA. - Petition disposed of
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