Penalties Upheld Under Sections 114(i) and 114AA for Illegal Export of Red Sanders Wood, Penalty Reduced

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....The CESTAT upheld the imposition of penalties under Sections 114(i) and 114AA of the Customs Act, 1962, on the appellant for involvement in the illegal export of Red Sanders wood disguised as Jute Hessian Cloth. The tribunal found the exporter's and CHA's documents to be forged and accepted evidence implicating the appellant, who had a prior history of similar smuggling offenses. Although the appellant did not deny employing a key witness, the tribunal found the adjudicating authority's conclusions justified. However, considering the appellant's role and the offense's nature, the penalty was reduced from Rs.10,00,000 to Rs.5,00,000. The appeal was allowed in part.....