Full Judgment
2. We have heard Shri Doiphode, Id.counsel of the appellants and Shri J.M. George, Repartmental Representative for the Revenue.
3. It is the contention of the appellants that the six consignments in dispute were sold in good faith through their agent Shri M.D. Pallaria through whom they had sold 9 other consignments to actual users. The further submission is that he extended period of limitation is not applicable to the facts of the present case the consignments in question were cleared by the Customs authorities under Section 47 of the Customs Act on proper scrutiny and after satisfaction that the appellants were entitled to exemption from payment of duty under Notfn.No. 117/88. They further submit that the charge of suppression is not brought out in the show cause notice and that the Commissioner's order does not record any finding on the aspect of time Bar. They, therefore, submit that the demand is barred by limitation. The appellants also made submissions on the merits of the matter, contending that the demand is not sustainable on merits in view of the fact that paragraph 221 of the Import Export Policy which has been relied on in the show cause notice is not attracted in this case.
4.The prayer for setting aside the order is opposed by the Id.
departmental representative who reiterates the findings of the adjudicating authority.
5. On hearing both the sides,we see force in the submission of the appellants that the demand is barred by limitation. The demand for the period July 1989 to October, 1990 has been raised by the show cause notice dated 8.8.1994. The notice only makes a bald allegation that the appellants have suppressed the fact s without bringing out as to what facts were suppressed by the importers. The Commissioner has also not dealt with the defence that the goods were cleared only after the order under Section 47 was passed. Neither the notice nor t he order give any details as to when it came to the knowledge of the department that the six consignments have been sold by the appellants to the non existing firms. This information is absolutely vital for invoking the extended period of limitation. In these circumstances, we agree with the appellants' counsel that the demand is time barred and accordingly set aside the order and allow the appeal.