Full Judgment
3. This petition was listed for hearing on 25-2-2002 but the same stood adjourned for today at the request of Shri K.K. Anand, Advocate for the appellants. Today, when the matter is called, the appellants are not represented. Shri K.K. Anand, Advocate has however, sent a letter of even date pleading that he is unwell and the hearing may be adjourned to any other date. Since the matter lies in a small premise. I am not inclined to grant any adjournment. This ROA petition cannot be admitted for more than one reasons. Firstly, this petition is filed by one Shri P.S. Chaudhary, Consultant and not by the appellants and such petitions are not competent in law. Secondly, the petitioners were specifically directed vide order dated 9-11-2001, either to file a petition under Section 35F or to pay duty and penalty imposed on them to revive their appeal. The petitioners have not complied with any of these. The detention of the goods by the department is no substitute for the mandatory provisions of pre-deposit of duty and penalty under Section 35F. The ROA petition is, therefore not maintainable and the same is accordingly dismissed.