Full Judgment
2. I heard both sides. I find that the admission of Mr. R.B. Ranka is only in respect of three gate passes and the duty payable on these three gate passes has been accepted to be payable and the demand has been confirmed. Regarding the remaining gate passes, I have perused the entire records including the statement recorded on various dates of Mr.
R.B. Ranka and find that he has stated very clearly that he did not prepare the remaining gate passes, which were prepared by Mr. Subhas Bore. Mr. Subhas Bore's statement was recorded, in which he has categorically denied any manipulation. There is no evidence available with the department as far as remaining 52 gate passes are concerned.
Therefore, I agree with the adjudicating authority that duty demand cannot be confirmed on these 52 gate passes.
3. As regards confiscation and the penalty, the Revenue appeals have no merits in the light of the Hon'ble Delhi High Court's Judgement in the case of Pioneer Silk Mills Pvt. ltd. v. Union of India -- 1995 (80) ELT 507 which has been upheld by the Apex Court in which the Court held that the Additional Duties of Excise (Goods of Special Importance) Act, 1957 did not provide for confiscation and penalty at the relevant time.
Therefore, I agree with the collector's finding on the aspect of dropping proceeding of confiscation as well as penalty. In the result, I uphold the impugned order and reject the appeals.