The Tribunal (CESTAT) allowed the appeal, setting aside the...

The Tribunal (CESTAT) allowed the appeal, setting aside the adjudicating order of the Principal Commissioner which confirmed duty forgone and imposed penalties. The demand for customs duty was held without authority of law because the proviso requiring bond/execution obligations had been omitted by subsequent notification, so the export-obligation condition did not subsist for the relevant period. The penalty under s.112 CA was quashed because statements recorded under s.108 CA were inadmissible absent the procedural safeguards of s.138B (witness examination and opportunity for cross-examination). The penalty under s.114AA CA against the proprietor was likewise set aside. The appeal was allowed and impugned order set aside.

---