The CESTAT set aside the dismissal of the appellants' common...

The CESTAT set aside the dismissal of the appellants' common compounding application under Rule 4(3) of the Customs (Compounding of Offences) Rules, 2005, holding that the rejection without hearing violated principles of natural justice. The Tribunal found that the Chief Commissioner erred in bypassing the mandatory procedure under Rule 4(1) and the first proviso to Rule 4(3), prematurely invoking the second proviso without providing an opportunity of hearing. The decision was contrary to established judicial precedent affirming the maintainability of compounding applications before adjudication or issuance of show cause notices. The matter was remanded, directing the Chief Commissioner to reconsider the compounding application after determination of duty, interest, and penalty by the adjudicating authority. The appeal was accordingly disposed of with restoration of the application for fresh adjudication.

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