Import licence validity remains governed by the policy in force when issued, despite later sensitive-list restrictions.

The validity of import clearance under an existing licence is governed by the import policy in force on the date the licence was issued, not by a later restrictive notification. A subsequent inclusion of dyes in the sensitive list did not invalidate imports made under the earlier licence, and prior Tribunal authority on the same product and issue supported that view. The impugned order therefore required no interference, and the licence remained effective for clearance of the imported dyes.

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Issues: Whether the import licence issued to the respondents remained valid for clearance of the imported dyes notwithstanding the subsequent inclusion of dyes in the sensitive list by notification.

Analysis: The relevant import policy was the one prevailing on the date of issue of the licence. The later notification including dyes in the sensitive list could not govern or invalidate imports made under an earlier licence. The issue was already covered by prior Tribunal authority involving the same product and the same legal question.

Conclusion: The licence was valid and the subsequent notification did not affect the imports. The impugned order required no interference.

Ratio Decidendi: The legality of clearance under an import licence is determined by the import policy in force on the date of issuance of the licence, and a subsequent restrictive amendment does not govern or invalidate that licence.

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