TaxTMI 
TaxTMI 
2020 (6) TMI 147
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....ous countries, including yeast extract, Egyptian Basil, Soy Sauce Powder etc. The aforementioned materials are being imported from various countries and the duty accordingly is placed as per the notified Customs Act, and the items defined therein. As per the averments, petitioner classified the yeast extract as IS2102. 2. The question involved in the present writ petition is whether the customs authorities are empowered to differ the classification as sought by the petitioner for the purpose of charging of the higher duty. 3. The petitioner vide various invoices imported yeast extract, Glutamate, Egyptian Basil, Soy Sauce etc. on different dates through various bill of entries, the details of which are given herein below. Sl No Supplier....
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....ill of entry, the goods were not released owing to the classification by the Customs bringing under item No.2106 having a higher rate of duty. In the meantime, petitioner to their shock and surprise, received a summons dated 20.12.2019 from the office of the Director, Revenue Intelligence, purportedly under Section 108 of the Customs Act. It is in that background of the matter, customs authorities did not release the goods despite the fact that the petitioner was willing to deposit the higher rate of duty as acceptable under item No.21069060. 6. On the introduction of GST regime, the importers were also given the benefit of Integrated Goods and Service Tax (IGST). The Managing Director of the petitioner in pursuance to the summons of DRI, ....
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....ord additional documents. The DRI officers do not have any territorial jurisdiction to interdict the release of the goods by commanding customs officials without obtaining the No Objection Certificate, as the goods have been imported and lying in custody of the customs officials at Kochi. Petitioner though was willing to pay the higher rate of duty and also reserved right to avail and utilise IGST credit at a later point of time with a liberty to raise the claim of refund. The fact of the matter is that the goods have not been released. 8. The import was not done for the first time, but since 2011 and during all these period it was classified to be under 2102 on payment of the applicable rate of duty. 9. The purported enquiry of the DRI o....
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....ng out the provisions of Section 108 in support of the contentions, he relied upon two judgments of Honourable Supreme Court in Union of India Vs. Padam Narain Aggarwal and Others 2008(3) SCC 305 and Union of India Vs. Rajnish Kumar Tuli 2017(355) ELT 492 (S.C.). Relying on the relevant paragraphs of the judgments, it is submitted that the power of the DRI officials as per the provisions of Section 108 cannot be interdicted and quashed as has been sought before this Court. The Customs Act does not contemplate any magisterial intervention in recording the statement for the Customs authority, cannot brand the summoned person to be even accused. 11. Sri. Sreelal Warrier, learned counsel representing the 1st respondent supplemented the argumen....