Exporters Cleared of Penalty in Red Sanders Smuggling Case Due to Lack of Evidence and Incomplete Investigation.

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....Levy of penalty u/s 114AA of Customs Act, 1962 - Smuggling - Red Sanders - prohibited goods or not - There is total lack of investigation on the aspects of who broke the seals on the plot enroute and how they got substituted and where have the substituted goods gone. Main culprits are still at large. - CESTAT held that, Exporters earning precious foreign exchange cannot be allowed to be victimised and still further penalised. The lack of knowledge brought on record by the Commissioner (Appeals) in his findings is supported in evidence not only by various statements but also circumstantial evidence. The incomplete investigation coupled with all above narrative does not justify imputation of malafide and penalties under Section 114 (i) and Section 114AA. - No penalty.....