Shalom Forwarders Vs Commissioner of Customs (Madras High Court)
Madras High Court has dismissed a writ petition filed by Shalom Forwarders challenging an order dated May 13, 2025, issued by the Commissioner of Customs under Regulation 17(7) of the Customs Brokers Licensing Regulations, 2018. This order had revoked the customs house license issued to Shalom Forwarders.
The High Court declined to admit the writ petition, citing the availability of an alternate remedy for the petitioner before the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT), Chennai.
However, recognizing the need for business continuity, especially given an interim order previously passed in W.P(MD)No.24701 of 2024, the court granted Shalom Forwarders a temporary relief for a period of three months from today. This interim relief allows the petitioner to continue its business operations while pursuing the appeal. The court also stated that Shalom Forwarders is at liberty to file an appropriate application for an extension of this interim relief by filing an appeal with CESTAT.
The High Court directed that if an appeal, along with an application for interim stay of the impugned order, is filed within thirty days from the date of receiving a copy of this order, the Tribunal should entertain it and dispose of both the appeal and the interim stay application as expeditiously as possible. No costs were awarded, and connected miscellaneous petitions were closed.
