Section 129(3) requires a detention penalty order to be passed...

Section 129(3) requires a detention penalty order to be passed within seven days of service of the notice issued after detention. Penalty orders concerning vehicles carrying scrap, made after that mandatory period, were barred by limitation and without jurisdiction. Pending proceedings concerning the supplier's registration did not suspend the statutory period because no competent court had stayed the detention proceedings. The availability of a statutory appeal did not preclude writ jurisdiction against jurisdictionally invalid orders. The time-barred orders were quashed, the detained vehicles were directed to be released without payment of alleged duty, and otherwise permissible proceedings against the supplier or recipient remained unaffected.