Customs Tribunal Overturns Penalties in Gold Smuggling Case Due to Insufficient Evidence Beyond Witness Statements u/s 112.

CESTAT set aside penalties imposed under s.112(a) and s.112(b) of Customs Act 1962 against appellant for alleged gold smuggling. Court found insufficient evidence beyond statements of P and Y to establish appellant's involvement in smuggling activities. While gold recovered from P and Y was confiscated under s.111 and penalties imposed on them, no independent corroborative evidence existed to prove appellant's role in the offense. Mere statements without supporting proof were deemed inadequate to sustain penalties for abetment of smuggling. Tribunal held penalty provisions require concrete evidence of acts rendering goods liable for confiscation, which was lacking against appellant. .....

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