2002 (10) TMI 732 - AT - Central Excise

Summary

Issues:
1. Applicability of amended law reducing the period for filing an appeal.
2. Interpretation of the retrospective application of procedural law.
3. Comparison of the present case with the Supreme Court judgment in New India Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Shanti Misra.

Issue 1: Applicability of amended law reducing the period for filing an appeal:
The judgment deals with the scenario where appellants received an order demanding duty and imposing a penalty, with the appeal deadline being altered by an amendment. The amended law reduced the appeal filing period and the power to condone delays. The appeals reached the Commissioner after the extended time limit, leading to dismissal by the Commissioner. The representative argued for retrospective application of the amended law, citing procedural nature. However, the Tribunal found no wider objective in the change, concluding that the amended limitation period should apply. The Tribunal upheld the Commissioner's decision, dismissing the appeals due to the delay exceeding the new limit.

Issue 2: Interpretation of the retrospective application of procedural law:
The Tribunal examined the retrospective application of procedural law by referring to the Supreme Court judgment in New India Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Shanti Misra. The Supreme Court case involved an amendment to the Motor Vehicles Act, focusing on the establishment of a Claims Tribunal and a time limit for compensation applications. The Court considered the change as a procedural one, meant to operate retrospectively. However, the Tribunal distinguished the present case from the Supreme Court judgment, emphasizing that the amendment in this case solely aimed at reducing the appeal filing time without broader objectives. Consequently, the Tribunal held that the amended law's limitation period should be applied without condoning the delay.

Issue 3: Comparison of the present case with the Supreme Court judgment in New India Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Shanti Misra:
The Tribunal analyzed the applicability of the Supreme Court judgment to the current scenario. While the Supreme Court's decision in the motor vehicle accident case supported the retrospective application of procedural changes, the Tribunal found it inapplicable to the present situation. The Tribunal highlighted the difference in objectives between the two cases, noting that the amendment in the current case was a straightforward reduction in the appeal filing period. As a result, the Tribunal concluded that the Commissioner rightly applied the amended limitation period and upheld the dismissal of the appeals due to the delay exceeding the new time limit.

In conclusion, the judgment by the Appellate Tribunal CEGAT, Mumbai addressed the issues surrounding the applicability of an amended law reducing the period for filing an appeal. By examining the retrospective application of procedural law and comparing the case with a Supreme Court precedent, the Tribunal concluded that the amended limitation period should be strictly enforced, leading to the dismissal of the appeals.