Classification of imported areca nuts turned on binding moisture parameters and test reports, justifying writ intervention despite alternate remedy.

Imported areca nuts were treated as roasted areca nuts because the classification followed earlier accepted moisture-content parameters and the contemporaneous laboratory reports, many showing moisture below 10% and several below 4%, while no independent scientific basis justified departure from that framework. The absence of a precise statutory definition of roasted areca nuts made the prior classification methodology and test data controlling. Writ interference was held maintainable despite an alternate appellate remedy because the adjudication ignored binding parameters and material evidence, amounting to jurisdictional and legal error. The adjudication order was set aside and release of the goods without demurrage was directed.

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Issues: (i) Whether the imported areca nuts were to be classified as roasted areca nuts or raw areca nuts. (ii) Whether the writ court could interfere with the adjudication order notwithstanding the availability of an appellate remedy.

Issue (i): Whether the imported areca nuts were to be classified as roasted areca nuts or raw areca nuts.

Analysis: The classification turned on the moisture-content parameters adopted in earlier advance ruling proceedings and affirmed in prior writ proceedings. The respondents had no independent scientific basis to depart from those parameters and did not effectively consider the multiple laboratory reports showing moisture content below 10%, with several reports below 4%. In the absence of a precise statutory definition of roasted areca nuts, the earlier accepted parameters and the contemporaneous test reports were treated as the controlling basis for classification.

Conclusion: The imported goods were held to fall within the category of roasted areca nuts, not raw areca nuts.

Issue (ii): Whether the writ court could interfere with the adjudication order notwithstanding the availability of an appellate remedy.

Analysis: The existence of an appellate remedy did not bar interference because the adjudication order had ignored the binding parameters earlier upheld by the Division Bench and had proceeded on an erroneous and incomplete factual and legal appraisal. The refusal to apply the settled classification parameters and the failure to consider material laboratory evidence amounted to a jurisdictional and legal error justifying writ intervention.

Conclusion: Interference in writ jurisdiction was held to be maintainable despite the alternate remedy.

Final Conclusion: The adjudication order was set aside and the respondents were directed to release the imported goods without demurrage, resulting in complete relief to the petitioners.

Ratio Decidendi: Where a prior classification methodology has attained finality and the impugned adjudication ignores that binding framework while disregarding material scientific evidence, writ interference is justified even if an appellate remedy exists.

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