Appealability of suspension orders under customs licensing regulations requires appellate hearing, even before merits are examined.

An appeal lies against a suspension order passed under Sub-Regulation (7) of Regulation 22 of the Customs House Agents Licensing Regulations, 2004, and the making of such an order gives rise to the corresponding appellate right. The appellate forum cannot decline to hear the appeal merely because the merits of the suspension have not yet been examined. The Tribunal was therefore required to hear and dispose of the appeal, while the merits of the suspension order were left unexamined.

---

---

Issues: Whether an appeal lay and was required to be heard against an order of suspension passed under Sub-Regulation (7) of Regulation 22 of the Customs House Agents Licensing Regulations, 2004.

Analysis: An order having been made with regard to suspension under Sub-Regulation (7) of Regulation 22, the corresponding right of appeal had accrued. On that basis, the appellant was entitled to have the appeal heard by the Tribunal. The Court did not examine the merits of the suspension order.

Conclusion: The appeal was maintainable and the Tribunal was directed to hear and dispose of it.

Ratio Decidendi: Where an appealable suspension order is passed under the relevant licensing regulations, the appellate forum must hear the appeal and cannot refuse consideration on the ground that the merits have not yet been examined.

---