Foreign-origin cigarettes found in seized vehicle - appellant not liable u/ss 112(a), 112(b); penalties annulled; concealment goods forfeited

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....The primary issue is whether the appellant can be held liable under Sections 112(a) and 112(b) for smuggling and penalized for foreign-origin cigarettes found in a seized vehicle. The tribunal found no evidence linking the appellant to loading, transporting, ownership, or control of the vehicle and thus no proof of knowledge, connivance, or abetment - penalties on the appellant were therefore annulled. A secondary issue is validity of confiscation of the cover consignment (phool jhadus): because those goods were used to conceal illicit cigarettes, their confiscation and release against redemption fine was upheld. - CESTAT....