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Issues: Admissibility of refund claim rejected on the ground of limitation.
Analysis: 1. The appeal was filed by the revenue against the order of the Commissioner (Appeals) regarding the admissibility of a refund claim. The claim was rejected by the original authority due to being made beyond the prescribed six-month period from the date of payment. 2. The respondents had deposited an amount as per the directions of the Commissioner (Appeals) to hear their appeal against the Assistant Collector's order. After the Commissioner (Appeals) allowed the respondent's appeal, a claim for refund was made, which was rejected by the Assistant Collector citing limitation. 3. The Commissioner (Appeals) relied on the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Mafatlal Industries v. U.O.I. and considered the duty paid under court orders as payment made under protest, thus allowing the appeal. 4. The revenue's appeal to the Supreme Court contended that the claim was time-barred. However, the Tribunal noted that the original authority did not reject the claim on this ground. Additionally, filing an appeal to the Supreme Court does not automatically stay the Tribunal's order, and the revenue must comply with the Tribunal's decision. 5. Regarding the limitation issue, the Tribunal agreed with the Commissioner (Appeals) that payments made during litigation should be considered as payments made under protest, as per the Supreme Court judgment in Mafatlal Industries. The amount deposited as a pre-condition by the Commissioner (Appeals) cannot be classified as duty, thus not subject to the limitation under Section 11B of the Act. 6. Ultimately, the Tribunal found no merit in the revenue's appeal and rejected it, upholding the decision in favor of the respondents.
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