Case Law Details
Toyota Material Handling India Private Limited Vs Principal Commissioner of Customs (Import) (CESTAT Delhi)
The issue that arises for consideration is whether the Principal Additional Director General, DRI had the jurisdiction to issue the notice. This precise issue was examined by the Supreme Court in Canon India. The Supreme Court observed that the nature of the power to recover the duty, not paid or short paid after the goods have been assessed and cleared for import is a power that has been conferred to review the earlier decision for assessment. This power which has been conferred under section 28 of the Customs Act on the proper officer, must necessarily mean the proper officer who, in the first instance, assessed and cleared the goods. Thus, the Additional Director General, DRI did not have the jurisdiction to issue the show cause notice.
The show cause notice dated 30.01.2009 issued by the Principal Additional Director General, DRI under Section 28 of the Customs Act is, therefore, without jurisdiction as the said officer was not the proper officer and, therefore all proceedings undertaken by the Department on this show cause notice is, therefore, without jurisdiction. The order dated 29.05.2020 passed by the Principal Commissioner, therefore, cannot be sustained.
The submission advanced by the learned authorised representative appearing for the Department that the hearing of this appeal should be deferred till the review petition filed by the Department in Canon India is decided was considered by the Karnataka High Court in Mohan C. Suvarna and rejected.
FULL TEXT OF THE CESTAT DELHI ORDER
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