Import licence revalidation permitted to extend validity briefly and complete existing import commitments without prejudice

An import licence may be revalidated where its operative date was delayed through no fault of the holder, and where a limited extension is needed to complete import commitments already undertaken. The Court treated the prior verification delay and the short period sought as relevant to an equitable adjustment, noting that the extension would avoid serious business loss without prejudicing the authorities. On those facts, the licence period was extended by revalidation for three weeks from the date of revalidation.

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Issues: Whether the validity period of the import licence should be extended by revalidation in order to permit the appellant to complete the import commitments already undertaken.

Analysis: The licence had been issued but kept inoperative during verification, and its operative date was delayed through no fault of the appellant. The relevant procedure permitted revalidation of the licence on merits for limited periods, and the case involved only a short extension to avoid serious business loss without causing prejudice to the authorities. The prior order of the High Court extending the licence period had not been set aside, and the facts called for an equitable adjustment to avoid hardship and to do complete justice between the parties.

Conclusion: The licence period was directed to be extended by revalidation for three weeks from the date of revalidation, in favour of the appellant.

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