CESTAT allowed the appeal regarding seizure of six gold bars...

CESTAT allowed the appeal regarding seizure of six gold bars weighing 499.17 grams from appellant's possession at Guwahati Railway Station. The tribunal held that 99.5% purity alone cannot establish foreign origin without corroborative evidence. Since this was a town seizure, Section 123 presumption was inapplicable, placing burden on department to prove smuggling. Department failed to establish foreign origin or smuggled nature with evidence. Appellant provided documentary proof of domestic purchase from M/s. Nirmala Trading Company and demonstrated internal transfer between business units. Minor variations in employee statements could not override documentary evidence of licit purchase. Confiscation order and penalty of Rs.1,60,000 under Section 112(b)(i) of Customs Act, 1962 were set aside due to established domestic purchase.

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