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2006 (12) TMI 152 - HC - CustomsImposition of Redemption fine and penalty - confiscation of goods - pre-requisite - HELD THAT - No question arises qua respondents No. 1 and 2, against whom, penalty has only been reduced in the discretion of the Tribunal. Respondents No. 3 and 9, it has been found that they were bona fide purchasers without any knowledge of ineligibility of the sellers. Having regard to the statutory provisions, providing, for redemption fine or confiscation of goods, it is patent that such an action is permissible where a person, against whom action is taken, has a mens rea. Learned counsel for the petitioner has not been able to show how in law redemption fine or confiscation could be automatic, irrespective of mens rea. On the other hand, there are judgments in Collector of Customs, Bombay v. Sneha Sales Corporation 1998 (9) TMI 99 - SUPREME COURT and UOI v. Sampat Raj Dugar 1992 (1) TMI 103 - SUPREME COURT , wherein the view taken in East India Commercial Company Limited's case 1962 (5) TMI 23 - SUPREME COURT was followed and which view was also followed in Taparia Overseas (P) Limited v. UOI 2003 (1) TMI 127 - BOMBAY HIGH COURT , holding that the purchaser of imported goods, having no knowledge of any violation, could not be subjected to penalty. Thus, we do not find that any question of law arises, which may be required to be adjudicated upon by this Court. Dismissed.
Issues:
1. Interpretation of redemption fine in lieu of confiscation of goods. 2. Imposition of penalties on various individuals under Sections 111(d), 111(o), 112(a), and 112(b) of the Customs Act, 1962. 3. Assessment of penalties on bona fide purchasers without mens rea. 4. Applicability of redemption fine or confiscation of goods in the absence of mens rea. 5. Comparison with previous judgments regarding penalties for purchasers without knowledge of violations. Issue 1: Interpretation of Redemption Fine: The petition sought clarification on whether knowledge of the custodian of goods regarding import law violations is necessary for imposing a redemption fine in lieu of confiscation. The Adjudicating Officer ordered confiscation of specific machines under Sections 111(d) and 111(o) of the Customs Act but provided an option for redemption on payment of fines. The Tribunal modified penalties imposed on various parties, considering the excessive quantum of penalties and the lack of mens rea in some cases. The Tribunal upheld penalties on certain parties, emphasizing the need for mens rea for imposing penalties. Issue 2: Imposition of Penalties: Penalties were imposed on individuals under Sections 112(a) and 112(b) of the Customs Act. The Adjudicating Officer and the Tribunal varied penalties based on the circumstances of each case. The Tribunal reduced penalties for some parties and dismissed appeals for others. The judgment highlighted the discretion of the Tribunal in modifying penalties and the grounds for upholding penalties against specific parties. Issue 3: Assessment of Penalties on Bona Fide Purchasers: The Tribunal differentiated between parties who were bona fide purchasers without knowledge of violations and those who were not. Penalties were reduced or set aside for parties found to be bona fide purchasers without mens rea. The judgment emphasized the importance of mens rea in determining penalties for violations of import laws. Issue 4: Applicability of Redemption Fine without Mens Rea: The judgment discussed the applicability of redemption fine or confiscation of goods in cases where the person involved lacks mens rea. It was argued that penalties should not be automatic without mens rea. Previous judgments were cited to support the view that purchasers without knowledge of violations should not be penalized. Issue 5: Comparison with Previous Judgments: The judgment referenced previous cases like Collector of Customs, Bombay v. Sneha Sales Corporation and UOI v. Sampat Raj Dugar to support the position that penalties should not be imposed on purchasers without knowledge of violations. The judgment concluded that no question of law required adjudication based on the existing legal precedents. In conclusion, the High Court dismissed the petition after analyzing the interpretation of redemption fine, imposition of penalties, assessment of penalties on bona fide purchasers, applicability of penalties without mens rea, and comparison with previous judgments. The judgment emphasized the importance of mens rea in determining penalties and highlighted the discretion of the Tribunal in modifying penalties based on individual circumstances.
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