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Issues involved: Appeal against suspension of CHA licence u/s CHALR, 2004.
Summary: The appeal was filed by M/s. Cleford Shipping Company Limited, CHA, Chennai against the suspension of its CHA licence by the Commissioner of Customs. The suspension was based on the CHA's involvement in facilitating fraudulent exports by filing shipping bills for red sanders under the guise of alloy steel flat bars. The Commissioner found that the CHA had failed to comply with various sub-clauses of Regulation 13 of CHALR, 2004, and ordered the immediate suspension of the CHA licence to prevent further misconduct. During the appeal, it was argued that the immediate suspension in March 2008 was not justified as the misconduct was alleged to have occurred in April 2007. The grounds for suspension were found to be insufficient, and it was contended that an enquiry should have been conducted before ordering immediate suspension. Reference was made to previous tribunal decisions where immediate suspensions were set aside due to delays in issuing the orders. The Revenue representative argued that disputes involving CHA should not be adjudicated by Single Member Benches based on a 1998 Office Order. However, the outdated nature of the order was highlighted, and it was emphasized that the statute does not prohibit a Single Member Bench from deciding such disputes. Upon careful consideration, it was found that the grounds for immediate suspension were not adequately supported by evidence of serious misconduct by the CHA. The order of immediate suspension was set aside, and the appeal was allowed. It was concluded that the immediate suspension was not sustainable as it was not based on a proximate transaction, and the regulation did not support such suspension without proper justification.
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