Issues: Whether specially designed disposable microcuvettes used with an analyser are classifiable as parts of analytical instruments under CTI 9027 9090 or as articles of plastic under CTI 3926 9099.

Analysis: Note 2(b) to Chapter 90 classifies parts and accessories suitable for sole or principal use with a particular instrument along with that instrument; permanent physical attachment is not required. The microcuvettes possessed specialised dimensions, configuration, material and optical characteristics necessary for calibration, spectrophotometry and accurate analytical operation of the analyser. Their function in processing samples and reagents, coupled with the absence of any established general or alternative use, demonstrated their sole or principal suitability for the analyser. Disposable character alone does not prevent an article from being a part or accessory, and classification depends on objective characteristics and functional use rather than material of manufacture.

Conclusion: The microcuvettes are parts of the analyser classifiable under CTI 9027 9090, and not articles of plastic under CTI 3926 9099.

Issues: (i) Entitlement to concessional basic customs duty under Notification No. 46/2011-Cus. for the disputed imports; (ii) Whether Notification No. 35/2013-Customs operates retrospectively; (iii) Validity of invoking the extended period of limitation.

Issue (i): Entitlement to concessional basic customs duty under Notification No. 46/2011-Cus. for the disputed imports

Analysis: On the dates of the disputed Bills of Entry, Notification No. 127/2011-Customs governed the exemption and did not cover goods under the relevant tariff heading. The subsequent Notification No. 64/2012-Customs also did not restore the omitted entry. No unequivocal governmental acknowledgment established that the omission was a drafting error. Strict construction of tax exemption notifications precluded extending the benefit beyond their expressed terms.

Conclusion: The concessional basic customs duty benefit was unavailable for the disputed imports; decided against the assessee.

Issue (ii): Whether Notification No. 35/2013-Customs operates retrospectively

Analysis: Notification No. 35/2013-Customs restored the benefit for the specified goods but did not prescribe retrospective operation. In fiscal matters, a notification operates prospectively unless retrospective intent is expressly stated or necessarily follows from its terms; an alleged omission cannot supply such intent.

Conclusion: Notification No. 35/2013-Customs operates prospectively from its Gazette publication; decided against the assessee.

Issue (iii): Validity of invoking the extended period of limitation

Analysis: The exemption claimed had ceased to be available before the Bills of Entry were filed. Awareness of the amended notification was attributable to the importer, and the claim of an unavailable benefit supported invocation of the extended period of limitation.

Conclusion: Invocation of the extended period of limitation was valid; decided against the assessee.

Final Conclusion: The claimed exemption was unavailable at the time of import, its later restoration did not affect prior imports, and the resulting duty demand was sustainable within the extended limitation period.

Ratio Decidendi: A fiscal exemption notification operates prospectively unless its text clearly provides otherwise, and a subsequent extension of exemption cannot confer benefits for an earlier period merely on an alleged omission.

Issues: (i) Whether penalties could be imposed and appropriated from refundable pre-deposit in refund proceedings after an appellate order had set aside the penalties; (ii) Whether interest on the refundable pre-deposit was governed by the pre-6 August 2014 version of Section 35FF of the Central Excise Act, 1944, and the point from which such interest was payable.

Issue (i): Whether penalties could be imposed and appropriated from refundable pre-deposit in refund proceedings after an appellate order had set aside the penalties.

Analysis: The prior appellate order had set aside the penalties. A refund claim for the pre-deposit had to be examined consistently with that binding disposition and could not be used to institute a fresh penalty determination or recover penalties by appropriation. Such reopening of penalty liability in refund proceedings was contrary to judicial discipline.

Conclusion: Penalties could not be imposed or appropriated in the refund proceedings; the issue is decided in favour of the assessee.

Issue (ii): Whether interest on the refundable pre-deposit was governed by the pre-6 August 2014 version of Section 35FF of the Central Excise Act, 1944, and the point from which such interest was payable.

Analysis: As the appeal was pending before 6 August 2014, the saving proviso to amended Section 35F, read with Section 83 of the Finance Act, 1994, preserved the pre-amendment Section 35FF regime despite the later date of deposit. Under that regime, statutory interest becomes payable only where the refundable amount remains unpaid beyond three months from receipt or communication of the appellate order by the jurisdictional authority, and not from the date of the pre-deposit. The dates on which the respective refundable components became due and the consequential interest require computation.

Conclusion: The pre-amendment Section 35FF governs; interest is not payable from the date of deposit but only after the stipulated three-month period. The assessee's claim for interest from the date of pre-deposit fails.

Final Conclusion: The refundable pre-deposit must be recalculated without the impermissible penalty appropriation, and statutory interest must be computed under the unamended regime for each amount that became refundable.

Issues: Whether the appellant was entitled to service-tax exemption for rent-a-cab service provided to an SEZ unit under Notification No. 4/2004 dated 31.03.2004.

Analysis: The Special Economic Zones Act exempts taxable services supplied to an SEZ Developer or Unit for authorised operations, and the situs of rendering the service does not defeat the exemption where the service is supplied for such operations. Form A-1 issued by the SEZ Specified Officer identified the appellant's rent-a-cab service as an authorised service. No documentary material rebutted that certification; transportation of SEZ staff by pick-up and drop was connected with the authorised service.

Conclusion: The appellant was entitled to the exemption, and denial of the exemption on the ground that the rent-a-cab service was rendered outside the SEZ area was unsustainable.

Issues: Whether the margin earned from the purchase and resale of airline cargo slots at specifically agreed rates is taxable as Business Auxiliary Service.

Analysis: Business Auxiliary Service requires consideration for services rendered to another. Commission received while acting as a general sales agent had already been subjected to service tax. Cargo slots covered by specific rate arrangements carried no commission entitlement; the assessee purchased and resold the slots independently, bearing the possibility of profit or loss. The unchanged factual and legal position warranted application of the earlier final orders on the same issue.

Conclusion: The resale margin arose from an independent, principal-to-principal trading of cargo space and was not consideration for Business Auxiliary Service; the service-tax demand was unsustainable, in favour of the assessee.

Issues: Whether the applicant should be granted regular bail in relation to allegations of cess and excise-duty evasion.

Analysis: A prima facie doubt was recorded regarding computation of suspected evasion solely from the recovery and seizure of machinery under the prescribed formula. The observation was confined to bail and did not determine the validity of the Rule or bind the trial court. In the absence of antecedents, and since the machinery had already been seized, an unsupported apprehension of repetition was insufficient to justify continued custody.

Outcome: Regular bail granted.

Issues: (i) Whether the first appellate orders violated principles of natural justice by failing to consider and decide the appellants' grounds of appeal through reasoned orders; (ii) Whether the appeals should be remitted for fresh adjudication where the first appellate authority failed to decide the grounds on merits and the original proceedings are challenged for inadequate notice, document access and hearing.

Issue (i): Whether the first appellate orders violated principles of natural justice by failing to consider and decide the appellants' grounds of appeal through reasoned orders.

Analysis: The requirement that a quasi-judicial authority record cogent reasons is integral to principles of natural justice, fairness, and effective appellate review. The appellate orders merely stated that insufficient evidence had been produced and confirmed the original orders, without addressing the material grounds raised or the authorities relied upon. Identical and conclusory orders in matters involving distinct evidentiary foundations did not constitute reasoned or speaking decisions and reflected a failure to exercise appellate jurisdiction.

Conclusion: The first appellate orders violated principles of natural justice by failing to record reasons and decide the material grounds of appeal; the issue is decided in favour of the assessees.

Issue (ii): Whether the appeals should be remitted for fresh adjudication where the first appellate authority failed to decide the grounds on merits and the original proceedings are challenged for inadequate notice, document access and hearing.

Analysis: Although an appellate forum should ordinarily decide disputes on merits, a first appeal is a valuable right requiring adjudication of factual and legal grounds. Determination of the disputes directly at the second-appellate stage would deprive the aggrieved party of a statutory appellate level. The unresolved objections concerning the show-cause notices, identification and availability of relied-upon documents, and effective personal hearing in the original proceedings also required consideration at the original adjudicatory stage.

Conclusion: Fresh original adjudication is required after identification and availability of relied-upon documents, reasonable opportunity to respond, an effective personal hearing, and a reasoned determination; the issue is decided in favour of the assessees.

Final Conclusion: The demands cannot be sustained on unreasoned appellate affirmance, and the adjudicatory process must be undertaken afresh in compliance with procedural fairness and reasoned decision-making.

Ratio Decidendi: An appellate order that does not address material grounds and provide cogent reasons violates principles of natural justice; where such failure would deprive a party of an effective appellate level, fresh adjudication is warranted.

Issues: Whether an appeal challenging the determination that services provided to an overseas entity are not intermediary services and qualify as export of services is maintainable before the High Court under Section 35G of the Central Excise Act, 1944.

Analysis: Sections 35G and 35L of the Central Excise Act, 1944 create mutually exclusive appellate forums. Section 35G excludes matters relating to the rate of duty or value for assessment, while Section 35L channels such matters to the Supreme Court; taxability and excisability are included within that excluded category. The determination concerning the characterisation of the services as intermediary services and their qualification as export services concerns classification, excisability and value of the services for assessment.

Conclusion: The appeal under Section 35G of the Central Excise Act, 1944 was not maintainable; the challenge lies before the Supreme Court under Section 35L of that Act.

Issues: Whether an appeal challenging the Tribunal's determination on intermediary status and export of services was maintainable before the High Court under Section 35G of the Central Excise Act, 1944.

Analysis: Section 35G excludes High Court appeals relating to questions having a relation to the rate of duty or value for assessment, while Section 35L(1)(b) assigns such matters to the Supreme Court. Section 35L(2) includes questions of taxability or excisability within that excluded category. The Tribunal's determination of whether the services were intermediary services and whether they qualified as export of services involved classification, excisability and valuation of the services for assessment; it therefore fell within the statutory exclusion from the High Court's jurisdiction.

Conclusion: The appeal was not maintainable before the High Court; the proper forum was the Supreme Court under Section 35L of the Central Excise Act, 1944.

Issues: Whether delay in filing a GST appeal beyond the statutory limitation period could be condoned where the show-cause notice and adjudication order were not effectively served on the assessee through the designated GST portal tab.

Analysis: Section 107 of the Rajasthan Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 and the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 binds the appellate authority to the prescribed limitation. The show-cause notice had been uploaded under an additional, rather than the designated, notices-and-orders tab, and the assessee lacked effective knowledge of the proceedings and resulting demand. In these circumstances, refusal of adjudication on merits would cause substantial prejudice. The writ jurisdiction could therefore be invoked to grant relief notwithstanding the appellate authority's limited power to condone delay.

Conclusion: The delay of 121 days was condoned, the limitation-based appellate order was set aside, and the assessee was permitted to institute a fresh appeal within the stipulated period for adjudication on merits without objection as to limitation.

Issues: (i) Whether the parallel CGST proceedings were barred by Section 6(2)(b) because DGST had earlier initiated proceedings on the same subject matter; (ii) Whether the ex parte order was passed in breach of principles of natural justice; and (iii) Whether Section 16(2)(c) of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 is unconstitutional.

Issue (i): Whether the parallel CGST proceedings were barred by Section 6(2)(b) because DGST had earlier initiated proceedings on the same subject matter.

Analysis: Section 6(2)(b) bars proceedings by a proper officer under the Central enactment only where proceedings under the State enactment were initiated earlier and both proceedings concern the same subject matter. The DGST proceedings arose from reconciliation of turnover declared in GSTR-3B returns, whereas the CGST proceedings were founded on search material concerning non-existent suppliers, wrongful availment of ITC, and issuance of invoices without corresponding supplies. The allegations, evidentiary material and defaults were therefore distinct.

Conclusion: Against the assessee: Section 6(2)(b) did not bar the CGST proceedings, and the show-cause notice and adjudication order were not non est.

Issue (ii): Whether the ex parte order was passed in breach of principles of natural justice.

Analysis: Multiple hearing notices were sent through speed post and registered e-mail. The assessee neither appeared on the notified dates nor filed a substantive response to the show-cause notice, having only sought additional time and a hearing.

Conclusion: Against the assessee: adequate opportunity of hearing was afforded, and the ex parte order was not vitiated by breach of natural justice.

Issue (iii): Whether Section 16(2)(c) of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 is unconstitutional.

Analysis: The provision had been held intra vires by a High Court, and that view was affirmed by a speaking order of the Supreme Court. The constitutional position was consequently treated as settled.

Conclusion: Against the assessee: Section 16(2)(c) of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 remains intra vires and constitutionally valid.

Final Conclusion: The statutory bar was inapplicable, no denial of hearing was established, and the constitutional challenge could not be sustained; the merits of the ITC demand remain unadjudicated.

Ratio Decidendi: The statutory bar on parallel GST proceedings operates only when prior proceedings under the State enactment and the subsequent proceedings concern the identical subject matter; distinct allegations and evidentiary foundations preclude its application.

Issues: Whether cancellation of GST registration for non-disclosure of bank details and multiple registrations linked to a joint bank account should be quashed and reconsidered.

Analysis: Rules 10A and 21(d) of the Central Goods and Services Tax Rules, 2017 require disclosure of bank-account particulars and permit cancellation for specified defaults. Non-disclosure of correct bank details was treated as a curable lapse. Cancellation of GST registration carries severe civil consequences by disabling the dealer from carrying on business; where no allegation of fraudulent transactions, fake invoices, circular trading, or tax evasion exists and the taxpayer expresses bona fide willingness to regularise returns and outstanding dues, a liberal and pragmatic approach is warranted. A fresh representation supported by relevant bank documents and a personal hearing were required before a decision on restoration.

Conclusion: The cancellation order was quashed, and the authority was directed to independently decide restoration of registration after considering the taxpayer's representation and granting a hearing, with restoration conditional on statutory compliance.

Issues: (i) Whether the first appellate authority's failure to address the material grounds of appeal and give reasons violated the requirement of a reasoned and speaking order; (ii) Whether the matters should be sent for fresh original adjudication where the first appellate authority had not decided the grounds on merits and objections concerning notice, relied-upon documents and hearing remained unresolved.

Issue (i): Whether the first appellate authority's failure to address the material grounds of appeal and give reasons violated the requirement of a reasoned and speaking order.

Analysis: The appellate orders merely stated that satisfactory evidence had not been produced and confirmed the original orders. They did not address the seven grounds of appeal or the authorities relied upon, and identical reasoning was used in all three matters despite distinct evidentiary disputes. The principles of natural justice require a quasi-judicial appellate authority to give cogent reasons and determine the material grounds raised before it.

Conclusion: The first appellate orders were unsustainable for failure to provide reasoned determinations of the material grounds.

Issue (ii): Whether the matters should be sent for fresh original adjudication where the first appellate authority had not decided the grounds on merits and objections concerning notice, relied-upon documents and hearing remained unresolved.

Analysis: A merits determination at the second-appellate stage would deprive the parties of effective appellate review of the factual and legal grounds not considered at the first stage. Although remand is ordinarily avoided, the original orders were ex parte and the objections regarding the contents of the notices, identification and availability of relied-upon documents, and effective personal hearing had not received adjudication. These matters required examination on the original record with a meaningful opportunity to respond.

Conclusion: The impugned appellate and original orders were set aside for fresh original adjudication after consideration of the procedural objections and issuance of a reasoned decision.

Final Conclusion: The adjudicatory process must ensure identification and availability of relied-upon material, a reasonable opportunity to respond and be heard, and reasoned findings on the evidence before tax liability is redetermined.

Ratio Decidendi: An appellate order that does not address material grounds or give reasons is invalid; where foundational objections in the original adjudication remain unaddressed, fresh original adjudication is warranted to preserve effective appellate review.

Issues: (i) Whether invoices issued during the refund period for export goods may be included in zero-rated turnover where the goods were actually exported after that period; (ii) Whether Net ITC for the refund formula must be reduced by inadmissible ITC where the maximum refund remains higher than the amount claimed.

Issue (i): Whether invoices issued during the refund period for export goods may be included in zero-rated turnover where the goods were actually exported after that period.

Analysis: Section 54 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 read with Rule 89(4) of the Central Goods and Services Tax Rules, 2017 permits refund of ITC on zero-rated supplies made without payment of tax under bond or letter of undertaking. The refund formula requires Net ITC, turnover of zero-rated supply and adjusted total turnover to relate to the same relevant period. Under Sections 12 and 31 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, a tax invoice for goods involving movement must be issued before or at removal, and the supply is accounted for through invoices issued in that period. Export goods supplied under bond or letter of undertaking consequently form part of zero-rated turnover in the period in which the export invoices are issued. Actual export remains a condition for grant of refund, but the later date of the shipping bill does not displace the invoice value from the relevant-period turnover once export is established.

Conclusion: Yes. The value of the four export invoices was includible in zero-rated turnover for the refund period despite the subsequent physical export of the goods. In favour of the assessee.

Issue (ii): Whether Net ITC for the refund formula must be reduced by inadmissible ITC where the maximum refund remains higher than the amount claimed.

Analysis: The alleged inadmissible ITC of Rs. 23,560 did not materially affect the entitlement because, even on the Department's proposed calculation, the maximum refund permissible under Rule 89(4) remained substantially higher than the refund claimed and sanctioned.

Conclusion: No. The alleged inadmissible ITC did not warrant reduction of the sanctioned refund. In favour of the assessee.

Final Conclusion: The refund claim remains legally sustainable on the invoice-based computation of zero-rated turnover, and the proposed ITC adjustment does not alter the admissible refund.

Ratio Decidendi: For refund under Rule 89(4), turnover of zero-rated supply of goods for the relevant period is determined by export invoices issued at or before removal of the goods, subject to proof of actual export, and not by the later date on which the goods leave India.

Issues: Whether the reassessment notice issued after a search could be sustained where the seized cash had been disclosed by the petitioner as income and accepted as belonging to it in prior proceedings.

Analysis: For Assessment Year 2024-25, a search-related notice could be issued under Section 148 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 without recourse to Section 153C or the procedure under Section 148A(1). However, the seized cash had been offered by the petitioner as cash sales, and adjustment thereof towards tax liability had been accepted in prior appellate proceedings. The same Assessing Officer had also accepted, while assessing the director, that the cash belonged to the petitioner. The notice did not refer to the seized cash or assert the jurisdictional facts supporting the inference of escaped income; treating the known cash as deemed information was therefore found to raise a serious jurisdictional question requiring consideration.

Outcome: Notice was issued and reassessment proceedings pursuant to the impugned notice were stayed pending final hearing.

Issues: Whether the reassessment proceedings complied with principles of natural justice when additional information was sought through a subsequent communication without adequate time to respond.

Analysis: The information concerning the source of funds was sought through a communication issued after the original show-cause notice. Considering that the communication was digitally signed shortly before intervening holidays and required a response by midday on the next working day, the effective time available was about three-and-a-half hours. The petitioner was therefore not afforded an adequate opportunity to furnish the requested particulars before the order under Section 148A(3) was made.

Conclusion: The denial of adequate opportunity violated principles of natural justice and vitiated the order made under Section 148A(3). The petitioner must be afforded a hearing after furnishing the requested details, with all merits kept open.

Issues: (i) Whether an objection filed before the Dispute Resolution Panel on the next working day after the thirtieth day, which fell on a Sunday, was within the period under Section 144C(2) of the Income-tax Act, 1961; (ii) Whether a final assessment could be made without adjudication and directions of the Dispute Resolution Panel upon such timely objection.

Issue (i): Whether an objection filed before the Dispute Resolution Panel on the next working day after the thirtieth day, which fell on a Sunday, was within the period under Section 144C(2) of the Income-tax Act, 1961.

Analysis: Section 10 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 deems an act done on the next day on which the office is open to have been done in time where the last day of the prescribed period is a day on which the office is closed. Since the thirtieth day for filing the objection fell on a Sunday, the following working day was the valid last date.

Conclusion: The objection filed on 16 March 2026 was within limitation, and its rejection as time-barred was unsustainable, in favour of the assessee.

Issue (ii): Whether a final assessment could be made without adjudication and directions of the Dispute Resolution Panel upon such timely objection.

Analysis: The procedure under Section 144C of the Income-tax Act, 1961 is mandatory. Where a timely objection is filed, a final assessment may be made only after the Dispute Resolution Panel adjudicates the objection and issues directions under Section 144C(5); such directions are binding under Section 144C(10). A final assessment made before that process is completed lacks jurisdictional foundation.

Conclusion: The final assessment made without Dispute Resolution Panel adjudication and directions was without jurisdiction and was set aside, in favour of the assessee.

Final Conclusion: A timely objection before the Dispute Resolution Panel must be adjudicated on merits before a final assessment can lawfully be made, and the statutory Dispute Resolution Panel process is required to continue.

Ratio Decidendi: Where the last day for filing a Dispute Resolution Panel objection falls on a day when the office is closed, Section 10 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 permits filing on the next working day; a timely objection precludes final assessment until binding Dispute Resolution Panel directions are issued.

Issues: Whether the five formulated grades of natural astaxanthin are classifiable as non-synthetic food colours under Tariff Item 3203 00 20 or as food preparations under Tariff Item 2106 90 99.

Analysis: Rules 1 and 6 of the General Rules for the Interpretation require classification by the terms of the relevant headings, notes and subheadings. Heading 3203, read with Note 3 to Chapter 32 and the HSN Explanatory Notes, covers vegetable or animal colouring matter and preparations of a kind used for colouring materials or for making colouring preparations. The formulations, in their condition as imported, were standardised to specified astaxanthin concentrations and contained carriers, stabilisers and, for certain grades, emulsifying, micro-encapsulation or spray-drying features. Their product specifications and safety data sheets identified dietary-supplement, food, beverage and nutraceutical applications rather than a colouring function.

Analysis: The goods were not crude algal extracts or separately chemically defined compounds, nor were they shown to be preparations mainly used for colouring. Heading 2106 applied because the formulated astaxanthin products were not more specifically covered elsewhere and answered the description of food or dietary-supplement preparations under Supplementary Note 5 to Chapter 21 and the HSN Explanatory Notes, which include food-supplement preparations based on extracts or concentrates despite the presence of colours, carriers or stabilisers.

Conclusion: The five astaxanthin grades are not classifiable under Tariff Item 3203 00 20 and are classifiable under Tariff Item 2106 90 99 of the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975.

Issues: (i) Whether the appellants may place the respondent's relied-upon documents on record in the pending attachment appeals; (ii) Whether costs imposed for belatedly seeking to place those documents on record should stand.

Issue (i): Whether the appellants may place the respondent's relied-upon documents on record in the pending attachment appeals.

Analysis: The documents sought to be produced were relied-upon documents forming part of the respondent's prosecution complaint. Their consideration was material to determining whether the attachment of the properties should continue during pendency of the complaint.

Conclusion: The refusal to take the documents on record was set aside, and the documents were treated as having been taken on record, in favour of the appellants.

Issue (ii): Whether costs imposed for belatedly seeking to place those documents on record should stand.

Analysis: The appeals had remained pending since 2022, the documents were already within the appellants' knowledge and possession, and the applications were filed only when the appeals were listed for final hearing.

Conclusion: The costs imposed for the belated filing were sustained, against the appellants.

Final Conclusion: The relied-upon documents form part of the appellate record for consideration of the continuing attachment, while the monetary consequence for the delayed application remains enforceable.

Ratio Decidendi: Relied-upon documents forming part of the prosecuting authority's complaint should be received on record where they are material to deciding the continuation of property attachment, though belated production may warrant costs.

Issues: (i) Whether the search, seizure and retention of the jewellery and other articles under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 were justified on the ground that they had a nexus with proceeds of crime; (ii) Whether the alleged non-service of the show-cause notice vitiated the retention order for breach of principles of natural justice.

Issue (i): Whether the search, seizure and retention of the jewellery and other articles under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 were justified on the ground that they had a nexus with proceeds of crime.

Analysis: Section 17 permits search and seizure upon the requisite material, while retention and adjudication require a prima facie connection between the property and proceeds of crime. The material disclosed substantial movement of alleged tainted funds through accounts operated by or connected with the appellant and their utilisation for acquisition of assets, including jewellery. At the retention stage, a transaction-wise tracing of every item of jewellery was not essential where the material as a whole established a continuous flow and utilisation of funds. Recovery from a joint-family residence, or the assertion that some jewellery belonged to a person not accused in the scheduled offence, did not by itself invalidate the seizure; the relevant inquiry was whether the property was connected with, or required examination in relation to, proceeds of crime.

Conclusion: The search, seizure and retention were justified, and the seized jewellery was prima facie connected with proceeds of crime. The finding is against the appellant.

Issue (ii): Whether the alleged non-service of the show-cause notice vitiated the retention order for breach of principles of natural justice.

Analysis: The appellant participated in the adjudicatory proceedings and had an effective opportunity to place a defence. No specific prejudice resulting in a failure of natural justice was established. A procedural irregularity does not invalidate an adjudication unless it causes substantial prejudice.

Conclusion: The alleged non-service of the show-cause notice did not vitiate the retention order. The finding is against the appellant.

Final Conclusion: The confirmation of retention of the seized property remains legally sustainable under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.

Ratio Decidendi: Retention of property under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 may be sustained on prima facie material connecting it with proceeds of crime, notwithstanding its recovery from a joint-family premises or a claim by a person not accused in the scheduled offence.