2008 (12) TMI 510 - AT - Central Excise

Summary

Issues involved: Appeal against the Order passed by Commissioner (Appeals) rejecting Revenue's appeal.

Summary:
The case involved the processing of fabrics by the respondents, where shortages of 8000 LMs of MMF were found in a specific lot during a search. Various persons' statements were recorded, leading to proceedings confirming a demand and imposing penalties. The Order was set aside on appeal for de novo adjudication after allowing cross-examination. In the fresh adjudication, a demand of Rs. 17,317/- was confirmed for the detected shortages in the specific lot, with an equal penalty imposed. The Revenue appealed this decision, which was rejected by the Commissioner (Appeals).

The Commissioner (Appeals) dismissed the Revenue's appeal after careful consideration of the case records, facts, and submissions. It was noted that the allegation of clandestine removals was not proven beyond the specific lot in question, and the statements did not align with physical evidence. The appeal was dismissed due to contradictions between statements and physical evidence, leading to the clearance of goods by the respondent upon duty payment.

The Revenue's appeal referenced the earlier remand allowing cross-examination, which revealed the unreliability of the statements. The Commissioner (Appeals)'s reasoning regarding the clearance of goods against other lot numbers clandestinely was also considered, questioning why those goods were not found short during the factory search. The decision to restrict the demand to the actually detected shortages was upheld as just, leading to the rejection of the Revenue's appeal.

The appeal filed by the Revenue was ultimately rejected, with the decision pronounced in court on 15-12-2008.