2005 (2) TMI 114 - SC - Central Excise

Whether the assessee was right in classifying the following articles under Chapter Heading 95.03 and clearing the same without payment of duty. The said articles are Activity Desks and Chairs, Fun Fliers, Play Table, Play Pool, Rockers, Slides and Swings?

Held that:- Nothing prevented the department from calling upon the assessee over the years to produce their catalogues. The classification lists were duly approved by the department from time to time. All the facts were known to the department, whose officers had visited the factory of the assessee on at least 12 occasions. In the circumstances, we do not find any infirmity in the reasoning given by the Tribunal in coming to the conclusion that there was no wilful suppression on the part of the assessee enabling the department to invoke the extended period of limitation under the proviso to Section 11A(1) of the 1944 Act. However, we may clarify that the show cause notices dated 24-6-1997, 27-5-1998, 15-10-1998, 31-3-1998 and 30-9-1999 are in time as held by the Tribunal.

Subject to what is stated hereinabove regarding classification of "Play Pool" under Tariff Heading 39.22, we do not find any infirmity in the impugned judgment of the Tribunal. Hence, the Civil Appeals filed by the assessee and the cross-appeals filed by the department are dismissed. However, in the facts and circumstances of this case, there will be no order as to costs.