2008 (3) TMI 607 - AT - Central Excise

Summary

Issues: Security in lieu of amount ordered to be pre-deposited, Acceptance of plant and machinery as security, Final disposal of appeal

In the judgment delivered by the Appellate Tribunal CESTAT, AHMEDABAD, the issue at hand revolved around the security to be provided in lieu of the amount ordered to be pre-deposited. The Hon'ble Supreme Court had directed that the security must be satisfactory to the Tribunal. During the proceedings, the applicant expressed the intention to offer their plant and machinery as security, supported by a valuation certificate estimating the value at approximately Rs. 35 lakhs. The applicant also committed not to dispose of the property until the appeal's resolution. However, the jurisdictional Commissioner, through the ld. DR, presented a communication stating that the machinery is typically hypothecated to banks or financial institutions, and hence, the valuation certificate was deemed unacceptable. The Commissioner urged for the enforcement of a 50% duty deposit as per the CESTAT's previous order.

The Hon'ble Supreme Court's directive emphasized that the security provided should be adequate in place of the deposited amount. Consequently, there was no requirement for a cash deposit. The Tribunal found the Commissioner's objections to the property offered as security unconvincing and decided to accept the plant and machinery as the security provided by the applicant. The Tribunal further decided to schedule the final disposal of the appeal for April 24, 2008. The judgment, delivered by Member (T) M. Veeraiyan, concluded with the decision on the security issue and the setting of the appeal's date for final resolution.