2014 (12) TMI 239

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....e a common order dated 09.07.2014, in the appeals filed by Revenue framed the following questions:-         (i) Whether the learned Appellate Tribunal has jurisdiction to extend the stay granted earlier beyond the total period of 365 days in view of statutory provisions contained in Section 35C(2A) of the Central Excise Act, 1944?        (ii) Whether even if it is held that the learned Appellate Tribunal can extend the stay granted earlier beyond the total period of 365 days, the learned Appellate Tribunal is required to pass a speaking order / reasoned order considering 3rd proviso to section 35C(2A) of the Central Excise Act, 1944? 2. So far as question (i) above is....

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....ault and therefore, while considering each application for extension of stay, the learned Appellate Tribunal is required to consider the facts of each case and arrive at subjective satisfaction in each case whether the delay in not disposing of the appeal within the period of 365 days from the date of initial grant of stay is attributable to the appellant- assessee or not and/or whether the assessee / appellant in whose favour stay has been granted, has cooperated in early disposal of the appeal or not and/or whether there is any delay tactics by such appellant / assessee in whose favour stay has been granted and/or whether such appellant is trying to get any undue advantage of stay in his favour or not. Therefore, while passing such order ....

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....d that such appellant / assessee has fully cooperated in early disposal of the appeal and/or has not indulged into any delay tactics and/or has not taken any undue advantage, the learned Appellate Tribunal may, by passing a speaking order as observed hereinabove, extend stay even beyond the total period of 365 days from the date of grant of initial stay. However, as observed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Kumar Cotton Mills Pvt. Ltd (supra), it should not be construed that any latitude is given to the Appellate Tribunal to extend the period of stay except on good cause and if the Appellate Tribunal is satisfied that the matter could not be heard and disposed of by reason of the fault of the Appellate Tribunal for the reasons no....

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.... of the Appellate Tribunal is required to maintain separate register with respect to the appeals in which stay has been granted fully and/or partially and appeals in which no stay has been granted and the Appellate Tribunal must and shall give priority to the appeals in which stay has been granted, continued and/or extended. So far as the Question No.2 is concerned, i.e. Whether the learned Appellate Tribunal is required to pass a speaking order while extending stay or not, for the reasons stated above, the said question is answered in favour of the revenue - department and against the assessee. Consequently, all the matters are remanded to the learned Appellate Tribunal to pass appropriate order afresh and pass speaking and reasoned order ....