Penalty upheld under Section 114(i) CA for CHA's failure in KYC verification of export cargo, reduced fine imposed

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....The HC upheld the imposition of penalty under section 114(i) of the CA against the CHA, affirming liability for failure to comply with mandated KYC requirements and proper verification of clients in transit clearance of Nepal-based cargo destined for export. The appellant's contention that absence of adjudicated abetment precluded penalty was rejected, as section 114(i) penalizes acts or omissions rendering goods liable to confiscation, with abetment being secondary. The Tribunal correctly emphasized the CHA's primary responsibility to fulfill statutory KYC norms rather than rely on oral information. Notwithstanding the established breach, the Tribunal exercised discretion to reduce the penalty from Rs. 50 Lakhs to Rs. 4 Lakhs. The HC found no substantial question of law warranting interference, resulting in dismissal of the appeal.....