TMI Blog2007 (3) TMI 510X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... n their statements given u/s 108 of the Customs Act. They retracted these statements only in their bail applications filed in the criminal court. They did not make any retraction before the customs authorities, nor did they have a case that they had been made to give the aforesaid statements under intimidation, coercion or duress. Therefore, the decision rendered by ld Commissioners by taking into account the appellants confessional statements cannot be faulted. The confiscation of the gold, an item notified u/s 123 of the Customs Act, in respect of which the appellants failed to furnish proof of lawful acquisition, is perfectly in order. On similar facts, we have held in the cases of K.K. Saidalavi [ 2005 (9) TMI 198 - CESTAT, CHENN ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ce Unit). He had arrived from Riyadh by a Gulf Airlines flight. On being questioned by the officer in the presence of witnesses as to whether he was possessed of any gold or silver in his baggage or on his person, the appellant replied in the negative and attempted to pass through green channel. However, his baggage was checked by the officer in the presence of witnesses, whereupon 29 gold bars with foreign markings, each weighing 10 tolas, and 3 gold coins each weighing 8 gms. were recovered. The total value of the gold so recovered was estimated at Rs. 13,84,818/-. The person of the appellant was also searched but nothing incriminating was recovered. The gold bars and coins were seized under a mahazar for further action under the Customs ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... iscation of the gold under Section 111(d), (l) and (m) of the Customs Act and imposed a penalty of Rs. 2.50 lakhs on the appellant under Section 112(a) of the Customs Act. Appeal No. C/256/2001 The appellant, who arrived by an Air India flight from Riyadh on 14-12-2000 was intercepted by the Customs at Chennai airport and queried as to whether he was possessed of any contraband, to which he replied in the negative. On subsequent examination of his baggage in the presence of witnesses, officers of customs recovered 38 gold bars with foreign markings, weighing 4427 gms. and valued at Rs. 18,01,789/-. The goods were seized. The appellant, under Section 108 of the Customs Act, stated that he was carrying the contraband for a reward of Rs. 3 ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... der Section 111(m) of the Act. The appellant through counsel waived show-cause notice and pleaded for adjudication of the case. Submissions similar to those which were made on behalf of the other appellants were also made by this appellant before the Commissioner. In adjudication, the Commissioner confiscated the goods under Section 111(m) and imposed a penalty of Rs. 3.00 lakhs on the appellant under Section 112(a) of the Act. 2. Heard both sides. Learned counsel for the appellants submitted that they were entitled to an opportunity to redeem the seized goods against payment of a reasonable fine in view of decisions of this Tribunal. The penalties imposed on the appellants were arbitrary and excessive and the same required to be reduced ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... otified under Section 123 of the Customs Act, in respect of which the appellants failed to furnish proof of lawful acquisition, is perfectly in order. 4. The question now is whether the absolute confiscation of the goods is justifiable. On similar facts, we have held in the cases of K.K. Saidalavi (supra) and K. Baluchamy (supra) that absolute confiscation of gold is not warranted and that the persons from whose possession it was seized should be given an option for redeeming the goods on payment of a reasonable fine. We have held that there is no provision in the Customs Act which made it mandatory for the adjudicating authority to order absolute confiscation of gold and that, under Section 125 of the Customs Act, it is open to the said ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X
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