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2022 (5) TMI 996 - AT - CustomsLevy of penalty u/s 112(a) of the Customs Act, 1962 on the Customs Broker - wrongful availment of benefit of exemption under N/N. 69/2011-Cus. dated 29.07.2011, N/N. 46/2011-Cus. dated 01.06.2011 and N/N. 12/2012-Cus. dated 17.03.2013 dated, which was not available to the importer - HELD THAT:- The allegation levelled against this appellant in the Show Cause Notice is clearly the violation of Regulations 13(d) and (e) of the CBLR, no specific act or omission is attributed to this appellant. What is important is the act or omission that leads to the confiscation of improperly imported goods. Section 111 of the Customs Act, 1962 deals with confiscation of improperly imported goods, etc. and Section 112 prescribes penalty for improper importation of goods, etc. It becomes clear that both Section 111 and Section 112 are attracted only when the goods are held to be liable for ‘confiscation’ when they are ‘improperly imported goods’. Once the Revenue collects duty along with interest, then there remains nothing ‘improper’ about ‘import’ as the import itself becomes a proper import, in which event both these Sections will have no role, since when there is no improper import, then there remains nothing to confiscate. Moreover, Section 112 ibid. does not contemplate penal action for violations of provisions or regulations under any other law, much less violation under the CBLR; the charge is very specific: the act or omission should result in improper import of goods and consequently, confiscation of such goods, which is not the case of the Revenue here in the case on hand. The penalty levied here under Section 112 ibid. on the appellant, that too for violation under the CBLR, on the peculiar facts of the case, cannot be sustained - Appeal allowed - decided in favor of appellant.
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