1988 (2) TMI 340 - AT - Central Excise

Summary

Issues: Violation of principles of natural justice in the proceedings before the Deputy Collector, failure to comply with the request for cross-examination, determination of liability for excise duty on manufactured goods.

Analysis:
1. The case involves an appeal by M/s. Mounted Points Suppliers Company against an order confirming a demand for excise duty, confiscating goods, and imposing a penalty. The appeal was dismissed by the Appellate Collector, leading to a revision petition before the Central Government, which was transferred to the present tribunal.

2. The appellants did not appear during the proceedings, and the department was represented by Shri K.C. Sachar. The appellants contended that principles of natural justice were violated before the Deputy Collector due to the non-supply of certain documents and the denial of the right to cross-examine seizing officers and the chemical examiner.

3. The appellants argued that they were not provided with copies of certain documents, including the report of the chemical examiner. However, it was found that the report had indeed been supplied to the appellants as part of the show cause notice. Thus, the complaint regarding the omission to supply documents was deemed unsubstantiated.

4. Regarding the request for cross-examination, the Appellate Collector claimed that no such request was made during the adjudication stage. However, the appellants had explicitly mentioned their intention to cross-examine the seizing officers and the chemical examiner in their reply to the show cause notice. The tribunal concluded that the appellants' right of cross-examination had been violated, necessitating a fresh adjudication.

5. The tribunal refrained from making any findings on the issues raised by the appellants, including the contention that no manufacturing was involved in their process. The matter was remitted to the adjudicating officer for a fresh adjudication, emphasizing the need to consider whether the purchased and supplied materials fell under the relevant Tariff Entry to determine the liability for excise duty.

6. In conclusion, the tribunal set aside the lower authorities' order due to the violation of natural justice principles and instructed a re-examination of the case by the adjudicating officer in light of the observations made. No findings were recorded on the substantive issues, leaving the determination of liability for excise duty pending further assessment.