2025 (1) TMI 270 - AT - Customs

Tribunal Corrects Fines on Polyester Carpets, Sets Redemption at Rs.9,00,000/- and Penalty at Rs.4,00,000.

PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS-NEW DELHI (PREV) Versus ABN INTERNATIONAL

The Tribunal identified an error in its Final Order regarding the quantification of redemption fines and penalties on polyester carpets and threading ... Seeking rectification of mistake - Re-determination of value of polyester carpets - confiscation - redemption fine - penalty - HELD THAT:- The original authority (Joint Commissioner ) confiscated both the carpets and threading bars and allowed their redemption on payment of Rs. 30,00,000/- under section 125 of the Customs Act, 1962 [The Act]. He also imposed penalty of Rs.7,00,000/- under section 114(iii) of the Act. In the impugned order, the Commissioner (Appeals) upheld the confiscation of carpets but set aside the confiscation of the threading bars. He reduced redemption fine to Rs. 1,00,000/- and penalty under section 114 (iii) also to Rs.1,00,000/-. In the Final Order, this Tribunal reversed the reduction of redemption fine and penalty with respect to carpets but did not specify by how much these have been enhanced. It is not possible to infer it from the order of the original authority because he did not give a breakup of how much was the redemption fine for the carpets and how much was for threading bars. Similarly, he did not indicate how much was the fine under section 114(iii) for the carpets and how much was for threading bars. It is found that the market value of the carpets as per the order in original was Rs.99,38,300/-. As per section 125 the redemption fine cannot exceed the market value of the goods but no minimum amount of fine is prescribed. Similarly section 114 (iii) provides for imposition of penalty not exceeding the value of the goods as declared by the exporter or the value as determined under this Act whichever is greater. No minimum penalty has been prescribed. Conclusion - Errors apparent on the record must be rectified to ensure clarity and compliance with legal standards. It also establishes that fines and penalties should be proportionate to the market value of the goods and within the statutory limits. Appeal allowed in part. 1. ISSUES PRESENTED and CONSIDEREDThe legal judgment primarily revolves around the following core issues:Whether there was an apparent error in the Tribunal's Final Order regarding the quantification of redemption fine and penalty imposed on polyester carpets and threading bars.Whether the Tribunal's decision to set aside the reduction of redemption fine and penalty for carpets by the Commissioner (Appeals) was justified.How the Tribunal should rectify the absence of explicit quantification of fine and penalty in its Final Order.2. ISSUE-WISE DETAILED ANALYSISIssue 1: Apparent Error in the Tribunal's Final OrderRelevant Legal Framework and Precedents: The application for rectification of mistake was filed under the principles that allow correction of errors apparent on record. Section 125 of the Customs Act, 1962, governs the imposition of redemption fine, while Section 114(iii) deals with penalties related to customs violations.Court's Interpretation and Reasoning: The Tribunal acknowledged the error in its Final Order, noting the absence of explicit quantification of the redemption fine and penalty for carpets and threading bars. The Tribunal recognized that the original order did not provide a breakdown of fines and penalties specific to each item.Key Evidence and Findings: The Tribunal's decision was based on the records showing that the original authority imposed a collective redemption fine and penalty without item-specific details. The market value of the carpets was noted as Rs.99,38,300/-, which influenced the Tribunal's decision on the maximum allowable fine under Section 125.Application of Law to Facts: The Tribunal applied the legal provisions of Sections 125 and 114(iii) to determine that the redemption fine and penalty for carpets needed explicit quantification. The Tribunal increased the redemption fine to Rs.9,00,000/- and the penalty to Rs.4,00,000/- for carpets.Treatment of Competing Arguments: The Tribunal considered the arguments from both the Revenue and the respondent, focusing on the need for clarity in the quantification of fines and penalties. The Tribunal's decision aimed to rectify the oversight without altering the substantive findings regarding the confiscation of threading bars.Conclusions: The Tribunal concluded that there was an error in the Final Order regarding the quantification of fines and penalties. The order was rectified to specify the amounts for carpets, while the findings on threading bars were confirmed.Issue 2: Justification for Setting Aside the Reduction of Fine and PenaltyRelevant Legal Framework and Precedents: The Tribunal reviewed the Commissioner (Appeals)' decision to reduce the fine and penalty, which was challenged by the Revenue. The legal framework under Sections 125 and 114(iii) provides the basis for determining fines and penalties.Court's Interpretation and Reasoning: The Tribunal found that the Commissioner (Appeals) had reduced the fines and penalties without sufficient justification, given the market value of the goods and the legal provisions allowing for higher fines.Key Evidence and Findings: The Tribunal's findings were informed by the market value of the carpets and the absence of a minimum fine or penalty prescribed by law, allowing for discretion within the legal limits.Application of Law to Facts: The Tribunal applied the law to increase the fines and penalties to amounts it deemed appropriate, considering the market value and the nature of the goods involved.Treatment of Competing Arguments: The Tribunal balanced the Revenue's argument for higher fines against the respondent's defense of the Commissioner (Appeals)' reductions, ultimately siding with the need for higher fines within legal limits.Conclusions: The Tribunal justified setting aside the reductions by the Commissioner (Appeals) and increased the fines and penalties for carpets to align with the legal framework and the goods' market value.3. SIGNIFICANT HOLDINGSPreserve Verbatim Quotes of Crucial Legal Reasoning: The Tribunal stated, 'In the light of entire above discussion, the order under challenge is partly set aside i.e., with respect to the reduction of redemption fine and penalty with respect to carpets. The redemption fine for carpets shall be stand increased to Rs.9,00,000/- and the penalty with respect to carpets under section 114(iii) stand increased to Rs.4,00,000/-.'Core Principles Established: The judgment reinforces the principle that errors apparent on the record must be rectified to ensure clarity and compliance with legal standards. It also establishes that fines and penalties should be proportionate to the market value of the goods and within the statutory limits.Final Determinations on Each Issue: The Tribunal concluded that the redemption fine and penalty for carpets were to be increased to Rs.9,00,000/- and Rs.4,00,000/-, respectively. The findings regarding the threading bars were confirmed, and the appeal was partly allowed.