Customs Department Rightly Seizes Goods, Imposes Penalties for Misdeclared Bitumen Origin u/s 112, Mens Rea Not Needed.

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....Misdeclaration of imported goods - Bitumen - Country of Origin - Redemption fine - Levy of penalty - The department was well within its right to seize the goods for such misdeclaration and impose penalties under Section 112 of Customs Act, 1962, notwithstanding the fact that the appellants had nothing to gain financially by such an action as there was no differential duty involved. We find that mens rea is not an essential prerequisite for action u/s 111(m) and Section 112(a) of the Customs Act, 1962. - AT....