Redemption under Customs Act and priority hearing denied where confiscated goods were not shown fit for release on fine.

The Tribunal found no basis for out of turn hearing where the applicant failed to show that the confiscated goods were redeemable on payment of fine under section 125 of the Customs Act, 1962. It noted that the goods were not demonstrated to fall within the scope of that redemption provision, and no precedent was produced showing that identical goods had to be released on redemption. In those circumstances, the Tribunal was not satisfied that priority treatment of the appeal was justified, and the request for out of turn hearing was rejected.

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Issues: Whether the applicant was entitled to out of turn hearing of the appeal, and whether the confiscated goods were shown to be redeemable on payment of fine under section 125 of the Customs Act, 1962.

Analysis: The Tribunal noted that the goods were not shown to fall within the scope of section 125 of the Customs Act, 1962 for redemption on payment of fine. It also found that no precedent was placed showing that identical goods had to be released on redemption. In the circumstances presented, the Tribunal was not satisfied that a case for priority hearing was made out.

Outcome: The request for out of turn hearing was rejected.

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