Full Judgment
Navdeep Engineering charged and collected through a non-existent firm, viz. M/s. Neha Refrigeration, much higher prices than those declared in Central Excise invoices for the purpose of payment of duty, from those companies to whom the goods were diverted and sold, and that M/s. Sapna Coils Pvt. Ltd. (on whom also there is a duty demand and penalty) availed modvat credit on invoices of M/s. Navdeep Engineering without receipt of copper tubes in their factory. On the above basis, demands of duty have been confirmed and penalties imposed as detailed in annexure A to this stay order.
3. The prima facie contention that the goods were cleared on payment of duty and even if M/s. Navdeep Engineering had cleared the goods at higher prices to the ultimate recipient M/s. Blue Star Ltd. etc., those companies, in turn, could have availed modvat credit and therefore there was no necessity for M/s. Navdeep Engineering to resort to the modus operandi as alleged, requires detailed examination of the evidence on record and it is not possible to take a view that a strong prima facie case has been made out for total waiver by the applicants.
Considering the entirety of the facts and circumstances of the case, we direct pre-deposit of Rs. 1.25 lakhs by M/s. Navdeep Engineering and Rs. 30,000/- by M/s. Sapna Coils Pvt. Ltd., towards duty, within a period of eight weeks from today and on such deposit, pre-deposit of balance duties and penalties shall stand waived and recovery thereof stayed pending the appeals. Pre-deposit of penalties imposed on the other applicants is waived and recovery thereof stayed pending their appeals.
4. Compliance by M/s. Navdeep Engineering and M/s. Sapna Coils Pvt.
Ltd. is to be reported on 3^rd May, 2004.--------------------------------------------------------------------------Sr. No. Name of the Applicant Duty demanded Penalty imposed--------------------------------------------------------------------------1.
Navdeep Engineering Rs. 5,21,598/- Rs. 5,21,598/---------------------------------------------------------------------------2.
Sapna Coils Pvt. Ltd. Rs. 1,33,774/- Rs. 1,33,774/---------------------------------------------------------------------------3.
Manoj Sharma - Rs. 50,000/---------------------------------------------------------------------------4.
Shitla Prasad Sharma - Rs. 50,000/---------------------------------------------------------------------------