The CESTAT held that Section 28AAA of the Customs Act, 1962,...

The CESTAT held that Section 28AAA of the Customs Act, 1962, invoked by the Revenue for recovery of duty foregone, requires establishing collusion, willful misrepresentation or suppression of facts at the time of obtaining the instrument for exemption. Mere non-repatriation of export proceeds does not automatically erase eligibility for exemption. The Tribunal found no evidence of the required ingredients u/s 28AAA to justify recovery of duty foregone or cancellation of bank realization certificates. The alleged mis-declaration of goods did not warrant confiscation u/s 113(d) as the goods were not prohibited for export. The demands for recovery of drawback, duty foregone, and confiscation of goods were quashed. Penalties imposed on individuals were also set aside due to lack of sustainable grounds. The Tribunal dismissed the Revenue's appeals and allowed the appeals of exporters and individuals.