Is it mandatory to appear for the personal hearing? - FEMA - FAQ - FEMA

Ans . Personal Hearing can either be on physical basis or through virtual mode. However, it is not mandatory to attend/opt for the personal hearing. In case a person opts not to attend the personal hearing he//she may indicate his/her preference in writing. The application would be disposed of on the basis of documents submitted to the Compounding Authority. It may be noted that appearing for, or opting out of the personal hearing does not have any bearing, whatsoever, on the compounding amount that may be mentioned in the compounding order, as the compounding amount is calculated based on the Para 5.4 of Guidance note on computation matrix as contained in the Directions - compounding of contraventions under FEMA, 1999.