Withdrawal of exemption from duty/tax – Principle of promissory estoppel not invokable if public interest so warrants

Union of India Vs Unicorn Industries (Supreme Court) 3 Judge Bench of Supreme Court has held that the inapplicability of doctrine of promissory estoppel is established when the larger public interest demands so. Observing that pan masala (with or without tobacco) was found to be one of the causes of oral cancer, the Court was of the view that withdrawal of exemption for said items was in the larger public interest. Setting aside the High Court order, the Apex Court reiterated that an exemption notification does not make the items which are subject to levy as items not leviable to such duty. It...