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2004 (12) TMI 90 - SC - Central ExciseInterest on delayed refund of pre-deposit - whether the pre-deposit made as a pre-condition for the hearing of the appeal under the Central Excise Act, 1985 was, on the assessee being ultimately successful, refundable to the assessee with interest - Held that - The learned Solicitor General has taken instructions and has stated before this Court that the Central Board of Excise Customs proposes to issue a circular in connection with the payment of interest on all such pre-deposits. A draft copy of the proposed circular has been handed over to this Court. Having regard to the contents of the draft circular we direct compliance with the final order impugned before us and payment of interest in terms of the draft circular. The draft circular shall be appended to and the contents form part of this order.
Issues:
1. Whether the pre-deposit made under the Central Excise Act, 1985 is refundable to the assessee upon success. 2. Payment of interest on pre-deposits. 3. Compliance with the circular issued by the Central Board of Excise & Customs. 4. Validity of judgments of High Courts contrary to the Supreme Court's order. Analysis: 1. The main issue in this appeal and other related appeals was the refundability of pre-deposits made under the Central Excise Act, 1985 upon the assessee's success. The Supreme Court directed compliance with the final order and payment of interest on such pre-deposits as proposed in a circular by the Central Board of Excise & Customs. The draft circular was to be appended to the order, making it a part of the decision. Any High Court judgment contrary to this order would no longer hold legal validity. 2. In SLP (C) No. 10123/2002, the delay was condoned, and leave was granted. The appeal was disposed of by directing payment of interest on the deposit as per the impugned order and the draft circular presented to the Court by the Solicitor General. 3. SLP (C) No. 10417/2002 involved granting leave and disposing of the appeal by modifying the impugned order to direct payment of interest on the pre-deposit starting three months after the final resolution of the dispute between the parties, following the draft circular. 4. In SLP (C) No. 11937/2003, the delay was condoned, and leave was granted. The appeal was disposed of by upholding the interest payment direction but reducing the interest rate from 15% p.a. to 12% p.a. The respondent agreed to repay the difference within three months. 5. SLP (C) No. 13814/2003 was allowed in terms of the draft circular, with interest directed to be paid for three months at a rate of 12% p.a. 6. Civil Appeal No. 9725/2003 was disposed of by upholding the interest payment following a previous order. 7. In SLP (C) No. 2848/2004, leave was granted to withdraw the appeal based on the proposal of the Central Board of Excise and Customs, leading to the dismissal of the appeal. 8. SLP (C) No. 18179/2004 was disposed of by directing payment of interest as per the impugned order and the proposed circular mentioned in a previous order. 9. SLP (C) No. 10979-10981/2004 were disposed of by directing payment of interest as per the impugned order and in line with the proposed circular referred to in a previous order.
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