CESTAT partially allowed the appeal involving clandestine...

CESTAT partially allowed the appeal involving clandestine removal allegations of craft paper and packing material. The tribunal set aside demands totaling Rs. 23,03,781 for alleged clandestine clearance of kraft paper and Rs. 74,827 for packing material, finding insufficient independent corroboration despite documents recovered during searches. The department's case relied solely on self-incriminating statements without verifying evidence through simultaneous searches of suppliers and customers. Regarding CENVAT credit denial for GTA services worth Rs. 3,19,176, the matter was remanded for redetermination under normal limitation period following CBIC Circular 1065/4/2018. The undervaluation demand of Rs. 10,71,211 under Rule 7 was remanded for assessment within normal limitation since clearances were reflected in ER-1 returns. Extended limitation period invocation was deemed inappropriate for disclosed transactions.

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