Penalties under Customs Act Section 117 set aside for minor, rectified infractions lacking impact on revenue protection

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....The CESTAT overturned the imposition of penalties under section 117 of the Customs Act, 1962, arising from alleged violations including improper storage, lack of solvency certificates, inadequate surveillance, and deficient signage and digital signatures. The tribunal found that the licensing authority improperly relied on routine invocation of extended limitation periods without considering the broader statutory evolution of custodianship and the liberalized assessment regime. Minor infractions, especially those rectified, do not warrant penal action when they do not significantly impact revenue protection. Consequently, the tribunal held that the penalty imposition lacked substantive cause, and the invocation of section 111(j) was unfounded. The impugned order was set aside, and the appeal was allowed.....