Duty drawback recovery under Rule 16, despite no express...

Duty drawback recovery under Rule 16, despite no express limitation period, must be initiated within a reasonable time based on the facts. The text states that delayed recovery may be sustainable where fraudulent availment or suppression is alleged, but non-production of proof of export-proceeds realisation alone does not establish either ground. Where recovery proceedings begin more than seven years after drawback payments and no explanation is given for the delay, the text treats the proceedings as time-barred. It also notes that the consequential demand and penalty were set aside.