2011 (2) TMI 5 - SC - Customs

Proper officer - Section 2(34) meaning and scope of the term proper officer - . From a conjoint reading of Sections 2(34) and 28 of the Act, it is manifest that only such a customs officer who has been assigned the specific functions of assessment and re-assessment of duty in the jurisdictional area where the import concerned has been affected, by either the Board or the Commissioner of Customs, in terms of Section 2(34) of the Act is competent to issue notice under Section 28 of the Act. Any other reading of Section 28 would render the provisions of Section 2(34) of the Act otiose in as much as the test contemplated under Section 2(34) of the Act is that of specific conferment of such functions. Moreover, if the Revenue s contention that once territorial jurisdiction is conferred, the Collector of Customs (Preventive) becomes a proper officer in terms of Section 28 of the Act is accepted, it would lead to a situation of utter chaos and confusion, in as much as all officers of customs, in a particular area be it under the Collectorate of Customs (Imports) or the Preventive Collectorate, would be proper officers . In our view therefore, it is only the officers of customs, who are assigned the functions of assessment, which of course, would include re-assessment, working under the jurisdictional Collectorate within whose jurisdiction the bills of entry or baggage declarations had been filed and the consignments had been cleared for home consumption, will have the jurisdiction to issue notice under Section 28 of the Act.

Issues Involved:
1. Jurisdiction of the Commissioner of Customs (Preventive) to issue show cause notices under Section 28 of the Customs Act, 1962.
2. Definition and scope of "proper officer" under Section 2(34) of the Customs Act, 1962.
3. Validity of demands raised by virtue of re-assessment orders passed by the Commissioner of Customs (Preventive).

Detailed Analysis:

1. Jurisdiction of the Commissioner of Customs (Preventive):
The core issue in these appeals is whether the Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), Mumbai, had the jurisdiction to issue show cause notices under Section 28 of the Customs Act, 1962. The Customs, Excise & Gold (Control) Appellate Tribunal (CEGAT) and the Customs, Excise & Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) delivered conflicting judgments on this matter. The CEGAT held that the Commissioner of Customs (Preventive) was not a "proper officer" as defined in Section 2(34) and thus lacked jurisdiction. Conversely, the CESTAT upheld the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of Customs (Preventive) to issue such notices.

2. Definition and Scope of "Proper Officer":
Section 2(34) of the Customs Act defines a "proper officer" as an officer of customs who is assigned specific functions by the Board or the Commissioner of Customs. The Supreme Court emphasized that only officers who have been specifically assigned the functions of assessment and re-assessment of duty in the jurisdictional area where the import has occurred can be considered "proper officers" under Section 28. The mere appointment of a person as an officer of customs with territorial jurisdiction does not automatically confer the authority to exercise statutory powers entrusted to proper officers.

3. Validity of Demands Raised by Re-assessment Orders:
The Supreme Court examined whether the demands raised by the Commissioner of Customs (Preventive) through re-assessment orders were valid. The Court held that the Commissioner of Customs (Preventive) was not a "proper officer" within the meaning of Section 2(34) and thus was not competent to issue show cause notices for re-assessment under Section 28. The Court noted that the import manifest and bill of entry were filed before the Collectorate of Customs (Imports), Mumbai, and assessed by the proper officer, making the Commissioner of Customs (Preventive) unauthorized to issue such notices.

Conclusion:
The Supreme Court concluded that the Commissioner of Customs (Preventive) did not have the jurisdiction to issue show cause notices under Section 28 of the Customs Act, 1962, as he was not a "proper officer" within the meaning of Section 2(34). Consequently, the demands raised by re-assessment orders issued by the Commissioner of Customs (Preventive) were invalid. The appeals by the revenue were dismissed, while the appeals by the importers were allowed. The judgment clarified that the revenue could initiate proceedings against the importers for recovery of duty and other charges if permissible under the Act. No order as to costs was made.

Note:
This summary preserves the legal terminology and significant phrases from the original text, ensuring a thorough and detailed analysis of the judgment.

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