Provisional release of detained imported goods allowed on payment of disputed dues and duty on enhanced value

Detained imported goods were addressed in the context of provisional release, with relief confined to compliance with payment conditions. The Court treated the request as covered by an existing interim order in similar matters and held that the broader challenge to policy issues did not prevent interim release in these cases. Provisional release was directed on payment of the disputed amount in cash and duty on the enhanced value determined by the Chartered Engineer, with release to follow within seven days of payment and demurrage waived until release.

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Issues: Whether the detained imported goods were liable to be provisionally released on payment of the disputed amount and duty on the enhanced value determined by the Chartered Engineer.

Analysis: The petitions were confined to the request for provisional release of the detained goods. The relief sought stood covered by the interim order already passed in similar matters, and the pending challenge on the broader policy issue did not preclude grant of interim release in these cases. The Court therefore directed payment of the disputed amount in cash and payment of duty on the enhanced value, with release of the goods within seven days of payment and waiver of demurrage till release.

Conclusion: The petitioners were entitled to provisional release of the detained goods on compliance with the payment conditions imposed.

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