Excise Duty: Inter-connected Undertakings Not "Related Persons" Under Section 4(3) Without Specific Determination

The CESTAT ruled that the appellant's excisable goods clearance to an inter-connected undertaking should be valued under Rule 10, not Rules 8 & 9 of the Central Excise Valuation Rules, 2000. The Tribunal held that designation as inter-connected undertakings under Income Tax Act does not automatically establish a "related person" relationship under Central Excise law. Without specific determination of relationship under Section 4(3) of the Central Excise Act, 1944, the revenue authorities improperly treated the transaction as between related parties. Following precedents in Gajra Gears and Ramsons Casting cases, the Tribunal concluded that absent evidence of relatedness, inter-connected undertakings cannot be deemed "related persons" for valuation purposes. Appeal allowed. .....

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