2022 (1) TMI 1081 - HC - Customs

High Court disposes writ petition, grants leave to challenge summons under Customs Act. Cooperation required. No coercive steps.

Laxmi Organics Industries Limited Versus Union of India & Ors.

The High Court of Bombay disposed of the writ petition, making the rule absolute without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case. The petitioner ... Seeking a direction that the term “excisable goods” in Entry 107 of the Notification No.50/2017-Customs dated 30th June 2017 to include “taxable goods subject to tax under GST laws” - respondents states that though the summons were issued on 11th February 2021, the petitioner did not bother to implead the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence as party respondent and to impugn the summons issued by the said authority - HELD THAT:- Leave to amend is granted to impugn the summons annexed to the compilation of documents and other documents forming part of the said compilation. Leave to amend is also granted to implead the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Zonal Unit, Bangalore as party respondents to this petition. Amendment to be carried out within one week from today. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence shall not take any coercive steps against the petitioner during the course of recording the statement as aforesaid. If the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence proposes to take any coercive steps, the same shall not be adopted without giving 7 days’ clear notice to the petitioner - Writ petition is disposed of. Issues involved:Petition under Article 226 for a writ of mandamus to include 'taxable goods subject to tax under GST laws' in the term 'excisable goods' in a customs notification. Impugning the validity of summons issued by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence under Customs Act, 1962.Analysis:Issue 1: Petition for writ of mandamusThe petitioner filed a petition under Article 226 seeking a writ of mandamus to direct the inclusion of 'taxable goods subject to tax under GST laws' in the term 'excisable goods' in a customs notification. The petitioner submitted various documents, including a demand draft and replies to summons, to support their case. The court granted leave to amend the petition to challenge the validity of the summons and allowed the inclusion of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence as a party respondent. The petitioner agreed to cooperate with the authority and appear for recording statements. The court disposed of the writ petition, making the rule absolute without expressing any views on the merits of the matter.Issue 2: Impugning validity of summonsThe petitioner sought liberty to challenge the validity of summons issued by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence under the Customs Act, 1962. The respondents contended that no coercive steps were taken against the petitioner despite the issuance of summons. The court granted leave to amend the petition to challenge the summons and directed the inclusion of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence as a party respondent. The petitioner agreed to appear before the authority and cooperate during the recording of statements. The court ordered that no coercive steps should be taken during the statement recording process and provided the petitioner with a remedy in case of any proposed coercive action.In conclusion, the High Court of Bombay disposed of the writ petition in the specified terms, making the rule absolute without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case. Both parties were allowed to maintain their contentions, and no costs were imposed. The parties were instructed to act according to the authenticated copy of the court's order.