Admissibility of inquiry statements and burden in customs seizure of gold: penalties set aside on facts

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Full Text of the Document

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....Statements recorded during customs inquiries are relevant only if the maker is examined as a witness before the adjudicating authority, the authority forms an opinion to admit the statement in the interests of justice, and the opposing party is afforded cross examination; absent that procedure the statement lacks evidential value. Where goods are seized as suspected smuggled articles, the burden to prove they are not smuggled lies on the person from whose possession they were taken (or an owner claimant); however, lacking foreign markings or requisite purity, the Revenue must prove a reasonable belief of foreign origin. Penalties imposed on a non possessor/non claimant were set aside and the appeal allowed.....