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Supreme Court of India

COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMSversusMIS K. M. GANATRA & CO.

Citation
[2016] 1 S.C.R. 162
Decided
14 January 2016
Disposal
Appeal(s) allowed

Holding

The Supreme Court held that the tribunal erred in modifying the Commissioner’s cancellation order; the cancellation of the CHA licence stands.

Summary

The Commissioner of Customs cancelled the Customs House Agent (CHA) licence of Mis. K.M. Ganatra & Co. after finding that the licence had been sub‑let to unauthorised persons, facilitating fraudulent export documentation and causing revenue loss. The Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal, exercising its power under the Customs Act, modified the Commissioner’s order by limiting the period of revocation to three years and directing restoration of the licence thereafter. The High Court upheld the Tribunal’s order. On appeal, the Supreme Court held that the transfer of a CHA licence is a serious violation, that the CHA occupies a critical position in customs operations, and that the Tribunal’s exercise of discretion to grant leniency was inappropriate given the habitual nature of the offence. Consequently, the Court set aside the High Court and Tribunal orders and restored the Commissioner’s order of cancellation. The appeal was allowed.

Issues considered

  • The tribunal’s jurisdiction under Section 129B of the Customs Act to modify the Commissioner’s order of licence cancellation in cases of serious violation and habitual offence.
  • Whether the tribunal exercised its discretion properly in limiting the revocation period to three years despite evidence of licence sub‑letting and fraud.
  • Whether sub‑letting or transfer of a CHA licence constitutes a serious breach warranting cancellation without leniency.

Legislation cited

Subjects

Customs House Agentlicence transfersub‑lettingrevocationtribunal discretioncustoms regulationsfraudrevenue lossstatutory interpretation

Judgment

                            [2016] l S.C.R. 162



A                   COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS
                                     v.

                       MIS K. M. GANATRA & CO.
                      (Civil Appeal No. 2940 of2008)
B                           JANUARY 14, 2016
              [DIPAK MISRA AND N. V. RAMANA, JJ.]
           Customs House Agents Licensing Regulations, 1984 -
    Regulations JO, 13, 14 - Misuse of Customs House Agent licence
    (CHA) issued in favour of respondent - Transfer of licence by
c   respondent and was a habitual offender in the same manner -
    Cancellation of license by Commissioner of Customs - However,
    direction for restoration of licence after expiry of three years from
    the date of suspension of the licence by the tribunal - High Court
    upheld the order - On appeal, held: Transfer of licence in
D   contravention of the Regulations is a serious violation - Misconduct
    reflects a chain of acts and thus, the discretion exercised by the
    tribunal is inappropriate - In view of the important position of CHA
    in the Custom House, misconduct is to be seriously viewed - Orders
    of High Court and tribunal set aside and that of the Commissioner
E   restored - Custom House Agent Licensing Regulations, 2004 -
    Regulations 12, 13( b ), 13(d), 20(1 )( c), 13(n).
          Allowing the appeal, the Court,
        HELD: 1.1 The tribunal can dislodge or confirm or modify
  the order. The vesting of jurisdiction with the tribunal by the
F statute is beyond any pale of controversy. When a jurisdiction is
  exercised, it has to be exercised in accordance with law, regard
  being had to the factual matrix of the case. The tribunal having
  been conferred the power to modify the order, restricting the
  period of revocation would definitely come within the sweep of
  the said power. As regards the issue whether the said jurisdiction
G has been properly exercised in the instant case, on a perusal of
  the order passed by the Commissioner, it is clearly perceptible
  that there has been number of violations by the respondent. The
  enquiry report which formed the plinth of the order of the
  Commissioner demonstrates that by virtue of the transfer of the
H licence in contravention of the Regulations, on many an occasion,
                                  162
   COMMNR. OF CUSTOMS v. MIS K. M. GANATRA & CO.                         163



immense financial loss has been caused to the revenue. As the            A
factual matrix would exposit, it is a serious violation. The
misconduct reflects a chain of acts. In such a situation, the
discretion exercised by the tribunal is inappropriate. [Para 14]
[172-D-G]]
      1.2 In *Noble Agency case the tribunal observed that the           B
Customs House Agent (CHA) occupies a very important position
in the Custom House. The Customs procedures are complicated,
the importers have to deal with a multiplicity of agencies viz.
carriers, custodians as well as the Customs. The importer would
find it impossible to clear his goods through these agencies
without wasting valuable energy and time. The CHA is supposed            C
to safeguard the interests of both the importers and the Customs.
A lot of trust is kept in CHA by the importers/exporters as well
as by the Government Agencies. To ensure appropriate discharge
of such trnst, the relevant regulations are framed. Reg 14 of the
Customs House Agents Licensing Regulations lists out                     D
obligations of the CHA. Any contravention of such obligations
even without intent would be sufficient to invite upon the CHA
the punishment listed in the Regulations. As such the misconduct
has to be seriously viewed. The orders of the High Court and the
tribunal is set aside and that of the Commissioner is restored.
[Para 15, 16] [172-G-H; 173-A-D]                                         E

       Noble Agency v. Commissioner of Customs, Mumbai
       2002 (142) E.L.T. 84 (Tri. - Mumbai) - approved.
                        Case Law Reference
 2002 (142) E.L.T. 84 (Tri. - Mumbai)         approved.      Para 15     F
      CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION: Civil Appeal No. 2940
 of2008
        From the Judgment and Order dated 10.08.2007 of the High Court
. of Judicature at Bombay in Customs Appeal No. 71 of2007
                                                                         G
      V. Mahana, B. V. Niren, Binu Tamta, B. Krishna Prasad for the
Appellant.
      V. M. Doiphode, Rajesh Kumar, Krishana Kumar R. S., K. K. L.
 Gautam for the Respondent.
       The Judgment of the Court was delivered by                        H
164               SUPREME COURT REPORTS                         [2016] l S.C.R.



A             DIPAK MISRA, J. l. The respondent, Mis. K.M. Ganatra &
      Co., was granted a Regular Customs House Agent (CHA) licence under
      Regulation l 0 of the Customs House Agents Licensing Regulations, l 984
      (for brevity 'the 1984 Regulations') framed under Section 146 of the
      Customs Act, 1962 (for brevity 'the Act'). While the respondent was
      carrying on the business, a letter was received from the Joint Director,
B
      ORI, BZU, Mumbai wherein it was mentioned that certain units based
      in Moradabad and Rampur area were misusing DEEC and DEPC
      Sch,eme and submitting fictitious or forged shipping bills either with a
      view to obtain inadmissible Duty Entitled Pass Books (DEPBs) or for
      fulfilling the export obligations against advance licences under Duty
c     Exemption Entitlement Certificate (DEEC) Scheme, and to obtain waiver
      of BG conditions against the DEEC Licence as per the Exim Policy,
      though in reality no physical export of goods was taking place. In essence,
      the communication was to the effect that documents were fabricated to
      show that goods were exported.
D            2. On the basis of the aforesaid information, investigations were
      initiated and certain firms were identified which were involved in the
      misuse of the licence in the aforestated manner. During the investigation
      it was found that an endeavour had been made to give the impression
      that they were bona fide exporters. The shipping bills were filed and
      for the said purpose, services of CHA licence of the respondent licensee
E     was utilised. It had further come to the notice of the authorities that
      after due investigation and interrogation, it had allowed its licence to be
      used by certain unauthorised persons for monetary consideration. After
      the said aspect came to light, the licence was suspended under Regulation
      21(2) of the 1984 Regulations and an enquiry was held against it under
F     Regulation 23 of the 1984 Regulations. The enquiry officer held the
      enquiry and submitted the report on 25. l 0.2005 holding, inter alia, that
      the misconduct alleged against the respondent that it had allowed the
      unauthorised persons to handle the shipping bills stood proved, and
      accordingly opined that the articles of charge under Regulations 12, 13(b),
      13(d), 20( I )(c ), 13(n) of the Custom House Agent Licensing Regulations,
G     2004 (for short, 'the 2004 Regulations') were established.
            3. On the basis of the said enquiry report, the Commissioner of
      Customs (General), New Customs House Ballard Estate, Mumbai on
      22.08.2006, after affording appropriate opportunity of hearing to the
      respondent and analysing the facts and the material brought on record,
H     came to hold that there had been misuse of the licence issued in favour
   COMMNR. OF CUSTOMS v. MIS K. M. GANATRA & CO.                               165
                 [DIPAK MISRA, J.]

of the respondent and further the violation was serious in nature and it       A
did tantamount to involvement in fraudulent activity affecting the revenue.
Being of this view, it cancelled the licence and revoked the entire security
deposit.
      4. Aggrieved by the aforesaid order, the respondent preferred
Appeal No. C/1135/06 - Mum before the Customs, Excise & Service                B
Tax Appellate Tribunal (for short, 'the tribunal'). The tribunal, by its
decision dated 12.12.2006 opined thus:-
       "We have considered the submissions. We find that it is an admitted
       fact that the appellant has allowed Shri Vipul Shah to crry on
       business on monthly rental basis or a consignment basis which           c
       has resulted in fraudulent exports by his client whose credentials
       were not lloked into by the CHA. This cannot be considered as a
       mere commission agent being employed by the CHA. In fact no
       authorization from the customer in favour of the CHA is on record
       and the copy produced by the appellant is without any date and
       there is no evidence that it was procured before taking up the          D
       business of the exporters in question. On the other hand the
       appellants contend that the same was recovered by the ORI but
       could not show any panchnama to that effect. We find that the
       tribunal has in the case of Noble Agency held that the statement
       of defence witness that employer for whom he was working did            E
       not have CHA licence and that he was using licence of the noticee
       CHA on payment of monthly sums is sufficient to prove subletting
       of licence. The decision has been concurred with in the case of
       Nanda International Vs. Commissioner of Customs, Chennai -
       2004 (176) I.LT. 524 (Tri. -Chennai) the only difference being
       that since in latter case the licence remained revoked for a period     F
       six years & therefore, a lenient view was taken and the licence
       was restored though forfeiture of security deposit was upheld. In
       the instant case, we find that the licence has been suspended for
       the last two years and has now been revoked permanently. We
       consider it too harsh a punishment as it deprive the CHA of his         G
       Ii velihood. We consider that revocation for a period of three years
       from the date of suspension of licence (i.e. 1.3.2004) would be
       sufficient and on expiry of three years licence may be restored on
       taking fresh security deposit as we confirm the order of the
       Commissioner in forfeiting the security deposited by the appellant
       earlier."                                                               H
166                SUPREME COURT REPORTS                         [2016] 1 S.C.R.


A            We have reproduced the said paragraph only to highlight that
      though the tribunal has taken into consideration the admissions made by
      the respondent, findings recorded by the Commissioner and the act of
      violation by the respondent, yet it has exercised the discretion by directing
      restoration of the licence after the expiry of three years from the date of
      suspension of the licence on the ground that factual matrix warranted a
B
      lenient view to be taken.
             5. Dissatisfied with the order of the tribunal, the revenue
      preferred Customs Appeal No.71 of 2007 before the High Court of
      Judicature at Bombay. The Division Bench of the High Court, by the
      impugned order dated 10.08.2007, did not accept the stand of the revenue
c     that subletting of CHA is a serious violation and that apart, the respondent
      is a habitual offender in committing the offence of subletting and in that
      factual backdrop, the tribunal was not justified in restricting the period of
      revocation to a span of three years. After repelling the stand of the
      revenue, the High Court further proceeded to observe that the tribunal
D     has appositely exercised the discretion and taken a reasonable view and
      hence, the order of the tribunal did not warrant any interference. The
      said order is the subject matter of appeal by special leave before this
      Court.
            6. We have heard Ms. V. Mohana, learned senior counsel along
E     with Ms. Binu Tamta, learned counsel for the appellant and Mr. V.M.
      Doiphode, learned counsel for the respondent.
            7. Learned counsel for the respondent submitted that the present
      appeal does not deserve to be considered in view of the grounds taken in
      paragraph 'G' of the special leave petition. The said ground reads as
F     under:-
             "G That this Hon'ble Court, on similar facts involving violation of
             Regulations 12, 13(a), 13(b), 13(d), 19(8) of the CHALR in the
             case of Commissioner of Customs vs. Sri Prakash Ga wade SLP
             (C) No.5375 was pleased to issue notice and stay the impugned
G            judgment of the High Court vide order dated 16.03.2007."
             8. It is urged by the learned counsel for the respondent that the
      said special leave petition which had given rise to Civil Appeal No.4520
      of 2007 which has been dismissed, and therefore, the present appeal
      deserves to be dismissed. To appreciate the submission, we may
      reproduce the order dated March 24, 2014 dismissing the appeal. It reads
H
   COMMNR. OF CUSTOMS v. MIS K. M. GANATRA & CO.                                    167
                 [DlPAK MISRA, J.]

as follows :-                                                                       A
       "1. We have heard learned counsel for the parties to the !is.
       2. We find no merit in the Civil Appeal. Accordingly, the Civil
       Appeal is dismissed. However, the question of law raised is kept
       open to be agitated in an appropriate case. I.A. No.7 is also
       disposed of accordingly.                                                     B

       Ordered accordingly."
       9. It is manifest from the aforesaid order that the two-Judge
Bench, while dismissing the appeal, has kept the question of law open.
The question of law raised is where there is transfer of licence and as a           C
matter of fact the same is established in addition to the fact that the
licensee is a habitual offender in the same manner, whether the tribunal
should exercise the power under the Regulations to modify the action
taken by the competent authority. That being the issue raised in this
appeal, we have noted the said aspect first. We are unable to accept the
submission of the learned counsel for the respondent and, therefore, we             D
shall proceed to address the issue on merits.
        10. It is submitted by Ms. Mohana, learned senior counsel
appearing for the revenue that when it has been established after
conducting the necessitous investigation that the licensee has violated
the terms of the licence and the Regulations and it habitually involved in          E
the similar kind of activity, the discretion of the tribunal was totally uncalled
for. It is urged by her that whenever a statutory authority is conferred
with the jurisdiction for modifying an order, appropriate reasons have to
be ascribed and it should not be done without proper ascription of reasons
as that would be reflective of non-application of mind. It is her further
                                                                                    F
submission that when the order is demonstrative of flagrant violation of
the statutory Regulations relating to licence which has financial implication,
no leniency should have been shown.
       11. Learned counsel for the respondent would contend that in
similar circumstances, the period was restricted and once the discretion            G
has been exercised by the tribunal and that has been given stamp of
approval by the High Court, this Court should be slow to exercise its
jurisdiction under Article 136 of the Constitution of India.
      12. As is noticeable, the respondent was granted a regular licence
under Regulation 10 of the 1984 Regulations. Regulation 11 deals with
                                                                                    H
168               SUPREME COURT REPORTS                          [2016] 1 S.C.R.



A     execution of bond and furnishing of security. Regulation 12 stipulates
      the period of validity of a regular licence. Regulation 13; which stipulates
      that the licence is not transferable, reads as follows :-
            "13. Licence not transferable.-Every licence granted or renewed
            under these Regulations shall be deemed to have been granted or
B           renewed in favour of the licensee and no licence shall be sold or
            otherwise transferred."
            13. Regulation 14 deals with the obligations of Custom House
      Agent. The said Regulation, being pertinent, is reproduced below :-
            "14.      Obligations of Custom House Agent-A Custom House
c           Agent shall:
            (a) obtain an authorisation from each of the companies, firms or
            individuals by whom he is for the time being employed as Custom
            House Agent and produce such authorisation whenever required
            by an Assistant Commissioner of Customs or Deputy
D           Commissioner of Customs;
             (b) transact business in the Customs Station either personally or
             through an employee duly approved by the Assistant Commissioner
             of Customs or Deputy Commissioner of Customs, designated by
             the Commissioner;
E
             (c) not represent a client before an officer of Customs in any
             matter to which he, as officer of the Department of Customs
             gave personal consideration, or as to the facts of which he gained
             knowledge, while in Government service;
             (d) advise his client to comply with the provisions of the Act and
F
             in case of non-compliance, shall bring the matter to the notice of
             the Assistant Commissioner of Customs or Deputy Commissioner
             of Customs;
             (e) exercise due diligence to ascertain the correctness of any
             information which he imparts to a client with reference to any
G            work related to clearance of cargo or baggage;
             (f) not withhold information relating to clearance of cargo or
             baggage issued by the Commissioner of Customs from a client
             who is entitled to such information;
H            (g) promptly pay over to the Government, when due, sums
COMMNR. OF CUSTOMS v. MIS K. M. GANATRA & CO.                           169
              [DIPAK MISRA, J.]

  received for payment of any duty, tax or other debt or obligations    A
  owing to the Government and promptly account to his client for
  funds received for him from the Government or received from
  him in excess of Governmental or other charges payable in respect
  of the clearance of cargo or baggage on behalf of the client;
  (h) not procure or attempt to procure directly or indirectly,         B
  information from the Government records or other Government
  sources of any kind to which access is not granted by proper
  officer;
  (i) not attempt to influence the conduct of any official of the
  Customs Station in any matter pending before such official or his     c
  subordinates by the use of threat, false accusation, duress or the
  offer of any special inducement or promise of advantage or by
  the bestowing of any gift or favour or other thing of value;
  (j) not refuse access to, conceal, remove or destroy the whole or
  any part of any book, paper or other record, relating to his          D
  transactions as a Custom House Agent which is sought or may be
  sought by the Commissioner;
  (k) maintain records and accounts in such form and manner as
  may be directed from time to time by an Assistant <;:ommissioner
  of Customs or Deputy Commissioner of Customs and submit them          E
  for inspection to the said Assistant Commissioner of Customs or
  Deputy Commissioner of Customs or an officer authorised by
  him whenever required;
  (!) ensure that all documents prepared or presented by him or on
  his behalf are strictly in accordance with orders relating thereto;
                                                                        F
  (m) ensure that all documents, such as bills of entry and shipping
  bills delivered in the Customs Station by him show the name of
  the importer or exporter, as the case may be, and the name of the
  Custom House Agent, prominently at the top of such documents;
  (n) in the event of the licence granted to him being lost,            G
  immediately report the fact to the Commissioner;
  (o) epsure that he discharges his duties as Custom House Agent
  with utmost speed and efficiency and without avoidable delay;
  and
                                                                        H
170               SUPREME COURT REPORTS                         [2016] 1 S.C.R.


A           (p) not charge for his services as Custom House Agent in excess
            of the rates approved by the Commissioner from time to time
            under Regulation 25."
             Regulation 19 provides for maintenance and inspection of accounts.
      We have referred to the said Regulation as it casts number of obligations
B     on the Customs House Agent. Regulation 21 deals with the suspension
      or revocation of licence. Regulation 23 deals with procedure for
      suspending or revoking licence under Regulation 21. It is apt to note
      here that the Central Board of Excise and Customs, in exercise of the
      power conferred under sub-section (2) of Section 146 of the Act in
      supersession of the Customs House Agents Licensing Regulations, 1984,
c     except as respect things done or omitted to be done before such
      supersession, brought the 2004 Regulations. It is not in dispute that the
      investigation has been carried on, order bas been passed under Regulation
      20(c) of the 2004 Regulations. The said order of revocation was assailed
      before the tribunal under Section 129A read with Regulation 22(8) of
D     the 2004 Regulations. Section l 29B pertains to the jurisdiction of the
      tribunal and nature of the orders that the tribunal can pass. The said
      provision reads as follows :
            "Section 129B. Orders of Appellate Tribunal.-(!) The Appellate
            Tribunal may, after giving the parties to the appeal, an opportunity
E           of being heard, pass such orders thereon as it thinks fit, confinning,
            modifying or annulling the decision or order appealed against or
            may refer the case back to the authority which passed such decision
            or order with such directions as the Appellate Tribunal may think
            fit, for a fresh adjudication or decision, as the case may be, after
            taking additional evidence, if necessary."
F
            Regulation 22 of the 2004 Regulations reads as follows :
            "22. Procedure for suspending or revoking licence under
            Regulation20.-(l) The Commissioner of Customs shall issue a
            notice in writing to the Customs House Agent within ninety days
G           from the date of receipt of offence report, stating the grounds on
            which it is proposed to suspend or revoke the licence and requiring
            the said Customs House Agent to submit within thirty days to the
            Deputy Commissioner of Customs or Assistant Commissioner of
            Customs nominated by him, a written statement of defense and
            also to specify in the said statement whether the Customs House
H           Agent desires to be heard in person by the said Deputy
COMMNR. OF CUSTOMS v. MIS K. M. GANATRA & CO.                           171
              [DIPAK MISRA, J.]

  Commissioner of Customs or Assistant Commissioner of Customs.         A
  Provided that the procedure prescribed in regulation 22 shall not
  apply in respect of the provisions contained in sub-regulation (2)
  to regulation 20.
  (2) The Commissioner of Customs may, on receipt of the written
  statement from the Customs House Agent, or where no such              B
  statement has been received within the time-limit specified in the
  notice referred to in sub-regulation (I), direct the Deputy
  Commissioner of Customs or Assistant Commissioner of Customs
  to inquire into the grounds which are not admitted by the Customs
  House Agent.                                                          c
  (3) The Deputy Commissioner of Customs or Assistant
  Commissioner of Customs shall, in the course of inquiry, consider
  such documentary evidence and take such oral evidence as may
  be relevant or material to the inquiry in regard to the grounds
  forming the basis of the proceedings, and he may also put any         D
  question to any person tendering evidence for or against the
  Customs House Agent, for the purpose of ascertaining the correct
  position.
  (4) The Customs House Agent shall be entitled to cross-examine
  the persons examined in support of the grounds forming the basis      E
  of the proceedings, and where the Deputy Commissioner of
  Customs or Assistant Commissioner of Customs declines to
  examine any person on the grounds that his evidence is not relevant
  or material, he shall record his reasons in writing for so doing.
  (5) At the conclusion of the inquiry, the Deputy Commissioner of      F
  Customs or Assistant Commissioner of Customs shall prepare a
  report of the inquiry recording his findings and submit his report
  within ninety days from the date of issue of a notice under sub-
  regulation (1).
  (6) The Commissioner of Customs shall furnish to the Customs          G
  House Agent a copy of the report of the Deputy Commissioner of
  Customs or Assistant Commissioner of Customs, and shall require
  the Customs House Agent to submit, within the specified period
  not being less than thirty days, any representation that he may
  wish to make against the findings of the Deputy Commissioner of
  Customs or Assistant Commissioner of Customs.                         H
172                SUPREME COURT REPORTS                        [2016] 1 S.C.R.



A           (7) The Commissioner of Customs shall, after considering the
            report of the inquiry and the representation thereon, if any, made
            by the Customs House Agent, pass such orders as he deems fit
            within ninety days from the date of submission of the report by
            the Deputy Commissioner of Customs or Assistant Commissioner
            of Customs, under sub-regulation (5).
B
            (8) Any Customs House Agent aggrieved by any decision or order
            passed under regulation 20 or sub-regulation (7) of regulation 22,
            may prefer an appeal under section 129A of the Act to the Customs,
            Central Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal established
            under sub-section (1) of section 129 of the Act."
c
              14. Relying on the statutory provisions, it is submitted by learned
      counsel for the respondent that the tribunal has jurisdiction to confirm,
      modify or annul the decision. There can be no cavil over the issue that
      the tribunal can dislodge or confirm or modify the order. The vesting of
      jurisdiction with the tribunal by the statute is beyond any pale of
D     controversy. The dispute pertains to exercise of such jurisdiction. When
      a jurisdiction is exercised, it has to be exercised in accordance with law,
      regard being had to the factual matrix of the case. The tribunal having
      been conferred the power to modify the order, restricting the period of
      revocation would definitely come within the sweep of the said power.
E     The issue would, as stated earlier, be whether the said jurisdiction has
      been properly exercised in the case at hand. On a perusal of the order
      passed by the Commissioner, it is clearly perceptible that there has been
      number of violations by the respondent. The enquiry report which formed
      the plinth of the order of the Commissioner demonstrates that by virtue
      of the transfer of the licence in contravention of the Regulations, on
F     many an occasion, immense financial loss has been caused to the revenue.
      As the factual matrix would exposit, it is a serious violation. The
      misconduct reflects a chain of acts. In such a situation, we are disposed
      to think that the discretion exercised by the tribunal is inappropriate.
            15. In this regard, Ms. Mohana, learned senior counsel for the
G     appellant, has placed reliance on the decision in Noble Agency v.
      Commissioner of Customs, Mumbai 1 wherein a Division Bench of
      the CEGAT, West Zonal Bench, Mumbai has observed:-
             "The CHA occupies a very important position in the Custom

      I 2002 (142) E.L.T. 84 (Tri. - Mumbai)
H
   COMMNR. OF CUSTOMS v. MIS K. M. GANATRA & CO.                                173
                 [DIPAK MISRA, J.]

       House. The Customs procedures are complicated. The importers             A
       have to deal with a multiplicity of agencies viz. carriers, custodians
       like BPT as well as the Customs. The importer would find it
       impossible to clear his goods through these agencies without
       wasting valuable energy and time. The CHA is supposed to
       safeguard the interests of both the importers and the Customs. A
                                                                                B
       lot of trust is kept in CHA by the importers/exporters as well as
       by the Government Agencies. To ensure appropriate discharge of
       such trust, the relevant regulations are framed. Regulation 14 of
       the CHA Licensing Regulations lists out obligations of the CHA.
       Any contravention of such obligations even without intent would
       be sufficient to invite upon the CHA the punishment listed in the        c
       Regulations .... "
      We approve the aforesaid observations of the CEGAT, West Zonal
Bench, Mumbai and unhesitatingly hold that this misconduct has to be
seriously viewed.
      16. Resultantly, we allow the appeal and set aside the orders of          D
the High Court and the tribunal and restore that of the Commissioner.
There shall be no order as to costs.
Nidhi Jain                                                   Appeal allowed.

                                                                                E


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