2012 (1) TMI 201 - SCH - Central Excise

Jurisdictional issue pertaining to the Committee Commissioner of Central Excise, Dibrugarh, had by his order dated 23-4-2008 dropped all the charges brought against M/s. Kothari Products Ltdand consequentially allowed its products to be cleared from the factory - Members of the Committee on a consideration of the materials on record, adjudged the said decision of the Commissioner and directed him (Commissioner of Central Excise, Dibrugarh) to apply to the Tribunal for a correct determination of the points as enumerated in its order dated 24-7-2008 Respondents preferred against the decision dated 24-7-2008 of the Committee, questioned its (Committee) jurisdiction and authority contending that the composition thereof was not in accordance with the mandatory requirements of Section 35(1B) of the Act and the relevant Rules framed thereunder According to them, two members thereof namely Shri Rajendra Prasad who acted as Chief Commissioner of Central Excise, Shillong, and Shri Hrishikesh Sharan who did so as Chief Commissioner of Central Excise, Kolkata, had no locus standi to discharge their said roles as the necessary notification under Rule 3(2) of the Central Excise Rules, 2002 to that effect which is obligatory, had not been issued.