Assistant Collector of Central Excise Customs Division Madurai Vs M Abdulla and anr - Citation 775539 - Court Judgment

Excerpt:

Notice (8): Undefined variable: kword [APP/View/Case/amp.ctp, line 120]Code Context                                echo "<div class='table-bordered'><b>Excerpt:</b><br/>";

                                    if (trim($desc['Judgement']['casenote'])) {

                                        echo $this->Wand->highlight($this->Excerpt->extractRelevant($kword,strtolower(strip_tags($desc['Judgement']['casenote']))), $query);
$viewFile = '/home/legalcrystal/app/View/Case/amp.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'title_for_layout' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise Customs Division Madurai Vs M Abdulla and anr - Citation 775539 - Court Judgment | ',
	'desc' => array(
		'Judgement' => array(
			'id' => '775539',
			'acts' => '<a href="/act/51922/customs-act-1962-complete-act">Customs Act, 1962</a> - Sections 11, 111, 135 and 135(1)',
			'appealno' => 'Crl. App. No. 615 of 1977',
			'appellant' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai',
			'authreffered' => '',
			'casename' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai Vs. M. Abdulla and anr.',
			'casenote' => ' - Section 16 (1) (c) :[Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Ready and willing to perform-Concurrent findings of fact on consideration of evidence on record that appellants-buyers were not ready and willing to perform terms and conditions of agreement for sale - Buyers failing to pay balance consideration before agitating matter before Supreme Court  Held, Concurrent finding cannot be interfered with. 

Section 20: [Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Whether Time is the essence of contract  Held, Many instance in contract which repeatedly showed that time was to be of essence of contract were specifically mentioned. Clear condition in contract that purchasers would have to definitely deposit balance amount by date stipulated in contract for sale show that time was essence of contract.  -  As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. 7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. ..India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy.',
			'caseanalysis' => null,
			'casesref' => 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal;',
			'citingcases' => '',
			'counselplain' => 'C. Krishnan, Central Government Prosecutor',
			'counseldef' => 'S.R. Sundaram, Adv.',
			'court' => 'Chennai',
			'court_type' => 'HC',
			'decidedon' => '1982-10-19',
			'deposition' => '',
			'favorof' => null,
			'findings' => null,
			'judge' => 'Singaravelu, J.',
			'judgement' => '<p style="text-align: justify;">1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - </p><p style="text-align: justify;">'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' </p><p style="text-align: justify;">8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">',
			'observations' => null,
			'overruledby' => null,
			'prhistory' => '',
			'pubs' => '1983(12)ELT770(Mad)',
			'ratiodecidendi' => '',
			'respondent' => 'M. Abdulla and anr.',
			'sub' => 'Customs',
			'link' => null,
			'circuit' => null
		)
	),
	'casename_url' => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla',
	'args' => array(
		(int) 0 => '775539',
		(int) 1 => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
	)
)
$title_for_layout = 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise Customs Division Madurai Vs M Abdulla and anr - Citation 775539 - Court Judgment | '
$desc = array(
	'Judgement' => array(
		'id' => '775539',
		'acts' => '<a href="/act/51922/customs-act-1962-complete-act">Customs Act, 1962</a> - Sections 11, 111, 135 and 135(1)',
		'appealno' => 'Crl. App. No. 615 of 1977',
		'appellant' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai',
		'authreffered' => '',
		'casename' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai Vs. M. Abdulla and anr.',
		'casenote' => ' - Section 16 (1) (c) :[Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Ready and willing to perform-Concurrent findings of fact on consideration of evidence on record that appellants-buyers were not ready and willing to perform terms and conditions of agreement for sale - Buyers failing to pay balance consideration before agitating matter before Supreme Court  Held, Concurrent finding cannot be interfered with. 

Section 20: [Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Whether Time is the essence of contract  Held, Many instance in contract which repeatedly showed that time was to be of essence of contract were specifically mentioned. Clear condition in contract that purchasers would have to definitely deposit balance amount by date stipulated in contract for sale show that time was essence of contract.  -  As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. 7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. ..India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy.',
		'caseanalysis' => null,
		'casesref' => 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal;',
		'citingcases' => '',
		'counselplain' => 'C. Krishnan, Central Government Prosecutor',
		'counseldef' => 'S.R. Sundaram, Adv.',
		'court' => 'Chennai',
		'court_type' => 'HC',
		'decidedon' => '1982-10-19',
		'deposition' => '',
		'favorof' => null,
		'findings' => null,
		'judge' => 'Singaravelu, J.',
		'judgement' => '<p>1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. </p><p>2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. </p><p>3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. </p><p>4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. </p><p>5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. </p><p>6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. </p><p>7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - </p><p>'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' </p><p>8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p></p><p>',
		'observations' => null,
		'overruledby' => null,
		'prhistory' => '',
		'pubs' => '1983(12)ELT770(Mad)',
		'ratiodecidendi' => '',
		'respondent' => 'M. Abdulla and anr.',
		'sub' => 'Customs',
		'link' => null,
		'circuit' => null
	)
)
$casename_url = 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
$args = array(
	(int) 0 => '775539',
	(int) 1 => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
)
$url = 'https://sooperkanoon.com/case/amp/775539/assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
$ctype = ' High Court'
$caseref = 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal<br>'
include - APP/View/Case/amp.ctp, line 120
View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971
View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473
Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963
Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200
Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
[main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 109

Notice (8): Undefined variable: query [APP/View/Case/amp.ctp, line 120]Code Context                                echo "<div class='table-bordered'><b>Excerpt:</b><br/>";

                                    if (trim($desc['Judgement']['casenote'])) {

                                        echo $this->Wand->highlight($this->Excerpt->extractRelevant($kword,strtolower(strip_tags($desc['Judgement']['casenote']))), $query);
$viewFile = '/home/legalcrystal/app/View/Case/amp.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'title_for_layout' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise Customs Division Madurai Vs M Abdulla and anr - Citation 775539 - Court Judgment | ',
	'desc' => array(
		'Judgement' => array(
			'id' => '775539',
			'acts' => '<a href="/act/51922/customs-act-1962-complete-act">Customs Act, 1962</a> - Sections 11, 111, 135 and 135(1)',
			'appealno' => 'Crl. App. No. 615 of 1977',
			'appellant' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai',
			'authreffered' => '',
			'casename' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai Vs. M. Abdulla and anr.',
			'casenote' => ' - Section 16 (1) (c) :[Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Ready and willing to perform-Concurrent findings of fact on consideration of evidence on record that appellants-buyers were not ready and willing to perform terms and conditions of agreement for sale - Buyers failing to pay balance consideration before agitating matter before Supreme Court  Held, Concurrent finding cannot be interfered with. 

Section 20: [Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Whether Time is the essence of contract  Held, Many instance in contract which repeatedly showed that time was to be of essence of contract were specifically mentioned. Clear condition in contract that purchasers would have to definitely deposit balance amount by date stipulated in contract for sale show that time was essence of contract.  -  As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. 7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. ..India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy.',
			'caseanalysis' => null,
			'casesref' => 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal;',
			'citingcases' => '',
			'counselplain' => 'C. Krishnan, Central Government Prosecutor',
			'counseldef' => 'S.R. Sundaram, Adv.',
			'court' => 'Chennai',
			'court_type' => 'HC',
			'decidedon' => '1982-10-19',
			'deposition' => '',
			'favorof' => null,
			'findings' => null,
			'judge' => 'Singaravelu, J.',
			'judgement' => '<p style="text-align: justify;">1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - </p><p style="text-align: justify;">'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' </p><p style="text-align: justify;">8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">',
			'observations' => null,
			'overruledby' => null,
			'prhistory' => '',
			'pubs' => '1983(12)ELT770(Mad)',
			'ratiodecidendi' => '',
			'respondent' => 'M. Abdulla and anr.',
			'sub' => 'Customs',
			'link' => null,
			'circuit' => null
		)
	),
	'casename_url' => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla',
	'args' => array(
		(int) 0 => '775539',
		(int) 1 => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
	)
)
$title_for_layout = 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise Customs Division Madurai Vs M Abdulla and anr - Citation 775539 - Court Judgment | '
$desc = array(
	'Judgement' => array(
		'id' => '775539',
		'acts' => '<a href="/act/51922/customs-act-1962-complete-act">Customs Act, 1962</a> - Sections 11, 111, 135 and 135(1)',
		'appealno' => 'Crl. App. No. 615 of 1977',
		'appellant' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai',
		'authreffered' => '',
		'casename' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai Vs. M. Abdulla and anr.',
		'casenote' => ' - Section 16 (1) (c) :[Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Ready and willing to perform-Concurrent findings of fact on consideration of evidence on record that appellants-buyers were not ready and willing to perform terms and conditions of agreement for sale - Buyers failing to pay balance consideration before agitating matter before Supreme Court  Held, Concurrent finding cannot be interfered with. 

Section 20: [Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Whether Time is the essence of contract  Held, Many instance in contract which repeatedly showed that time was to be of essence of contract were specifically mentioned. Clear condition in contract that purchasers would have to definitely deposit balance amount by date stipulated in contract for sale show that time was essence of contract.  -  As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. 7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. ..India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy.',
		'caseanalysis' => null,
		'casesref' => 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal;',
		'citingcases' => '',
		'counselplain' => 'C. Krishnan, Central Government Prosecutor',
		'counseldef' => 'S.R. Sundaram, Adv.',
		'court' => 'Chennai',
		'court_type' => 'HC',
		'decidedon' => '1982-10-19',
		'deposition' => '',
		'favorof' => null,
		'findings' => null,
		'judge' => 'Singaravelu, J.',
		'judgement' => '<p>1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. </p><p>2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. </p><p>3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. </p><p>4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. </p><p>5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. </p><p>6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. </p><p>7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - </p><p>'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' </p><p>8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p></p><p>',
		'observations' => null,
		'overruledby' => null,
		'prhistory' => '',
		'pubs' => '1983(12)ELT770(Mad)',
		'ratiodecidendi' => '',
		'respondent' => 'M. Abdulla and anr.',
		'sub' => 'Customs',
		'link' => null,
		'circuit' => null
	)
)
$casename_url = 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
$args = array(
	(int) 0 => '775539',
	(int) 1 => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
)
$url = 'https://sooperkanoon.com/case/amp/775539/assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
$ctype = ' High Court'
$caseref = 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal<br>'
include - APP/View/Case/amp.ctp, line 120
View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971
View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473
Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963
Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200
Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
[main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 109

- section 16 (1) (c) :[tarun chatterjee & aftab alam,jj] ready and willing to perform-concurrent findings of fact on consideration of evidence on record that appellants-buyers were not ready and willing to perform terms and conditions of agreement for sale - buyers failing to pay balance consideration before agitating matter before supreme court held, concurrent finding cannot be interfered with. section 20: [tarun chatterjee & aftab alam,jj] whether time is the essence of contract held, many instance in contract which repeatedly showed that time was to be of essence of contract were specifically mentioned. clear condition in contract that purchasers would have to definitely deposit balance amount by date stipulated in contract for sale show that time was essence of contract. - .....

Notice (8): Undefined variable: kword [APP/View/Case/amp.ctp, line 123]Code Context                                    }

                                //highest occurence of word in the judgement

                                echo $this->Wand->highlight($this->Excerpt->extractRelevant($kword,strtolower(strip_tags($desc['Judgement']['judgement']))), $query) . "</div>";
$viewFile = '/home/legalcrystal/app/View/Case/amp.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'title_for_layout' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise Customs Division Madurai Vs M Abdulla and anr - Citation 775539 - Court Judgment | ',
	'desc' => array(
		'Judgement' => array(
			'id' => '775539',
			'acts' => '<a href="/act/51922/customs-act-1962-complete-act">Customs Act, 1962</a> - Sections 11, 111, 135 and 135(1)',
			'appealno' => 'Crl. App. No. 615 of 1977',
			'appellant' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai',
			'authreffered' => '',
			'casename' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai Vs. M. Abdulla and anr.',
			'casenote' => ' - Section 16 (1) (c) :[Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Ready and willing to perform-Concurrent findings of fact on consideration of evidence on record that appellants-buyers were not ready and willing to perform terms and conditions of agreement for sale - Buyers failing to pay balance consideration before agitating matter before Supreme Court  Held, Concurrent finding cannot be interfered with. 

Section 20: [Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Whether Time is the essence of contract  Held, Many instance in contract which repeatedly showed that time was to be of essence of contract were specifically mentioned. Clear condition in contract that purchasers would have to definitely deposit balance amount by date stipulated in contract for sale show that time was essence of contract.  -  As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. 7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. ..India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy.',
			'caseanalysis' => null,
			'casesref' => 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal;',
			'citingcases' => '',
			'counselplain' => 'C. Krishnan, Central Government Prosecutor',
			'counseldef' => 'S.R. Sundaram, Adv.',
			'court' => 'Chennai',
			'court_type' => 'HC',
			'decidedon' => '1982-10-19',
			'deposition' => '',
			'favorof' => null,
			'findings' => null,
			'judge' => 'Singaravelu, J.',
			'judgement' => '<p style="text-align: justify;">1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - </p><p style="text-align: justify;">'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' </p><p style="text-align: justify;">8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">',
			'observations' => null,
			'overruledby' => null,
			'prhistory' => '',
			'pubs' => '1983(12)ELT770(Mad)',
			'ratiodecidendi' => '',
			'respondent' => 'M. Abdulla and anr.',
			'sub' => 'Customs',
			'link' => null,
			'circuit' => null
		)
	),
	'casename_url' => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla',
	'args' => array(
		(int) 0 => '775539',
		(int) 1 => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
	)
)
$title_for_layout = 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise Customs Division Madurai Vs M Abdulla and anr - Citation 775539 - Court Judgment | '
$desc = array(
	'Judgement' => array(
		'id' => '775539',
		'acts' => '<a href="/act/51922/customs-act-1962-complete-act">Customs Act, 1962</a> - Sections 11, 111, 135 and 135(1)',
		'appealno' => 'Crl. App. No. 615 of 1977',
		'appellant' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai',
		'authreffered' => '',
		'casename' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai Vs. M. Abdulla and anr.',
		'casenote' => ' - Section 16 (1) (c) :[Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Ready and willing to perform-Concurrent findings of fact on consideration of evidence on record that appellants-buyers were not ready and willing to perform terms and conditions of agreement for sale - Buyers failing to pay balance consideration before agitating matter before Supreme Court  Held, Concurrent finding cannot be interfered with. 

Section 20: [Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Whether Time is the essence of contract  Held, Many instance in contract which repeatedly showed that time was to be of essence of contract were specifically mentioned. Clear condition in contract that purchasers would have to definitely deposit balance amount by date stipulated in contract for sale show that time was essence of contract.  -  As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. 7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. ..India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy.',
		'caseanalysis' => null,
		'casesref' => 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal;',
		'citingcases' => '',
		'counselplain' => 'C. Krishnan, Central Government Prosecutor',
		'counseldef' => 'S.R. Sundaram, Adv.',
		'court' => 'Chennai',
		'court_type' => 'HC',
		'decidedon' => '1982-10-19',
		'deposition' => '',
		'favorof' => null,
		'findings' => null,
		'judge' => 'Singaravelu, J.',
		'judgement' => '<p>1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. </p><p>2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. </p><p>3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. </p><p>4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. </p><p>5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. </p><p>6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. </p><p>7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - </p><p>'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' </p><p>8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p></p><p>',
		'observations' => null,
		'overruledby' => null,
		'prhistory' => '',
		'pubs' => '1983(12)ELT770(Mad)',
		'ratiodecidendi' => '',
		'respondent' => 'M. Abdulla and anr.',
		'sub' => 'Customs',
		'link' => null,
		'circuit' => null
	)
)
$casename_url = 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
$args = array(
	(int) 0 => '775539',
	(int) 1 => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
)
$url = 'https://sooperkanoon.com/case/amp/775539/assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
$ctype = ' High Court'
$caseref = 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal<br>'
include - APP/View/Case/amp.ctp, line 123
View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971
View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473
Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963
Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200
Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
[main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 109

Notice (8): Undefined variable: query [APP/View/Case/amp.ctp, line 123]Code Context                                    }

                                //highest occurence of word in the judgement

                                echo $this->Wand->highlight($this->Excerpt->extractRelevant($kword,strtolower(strip_tags($desc['Judgement']['judgement']))), $query) . "</div>";
$viewFile = '/home/legalcrystal/app/View/Case/amp.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'title_for_layout' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise Customs Division Madurai Vs M Abdulla and anr - Citation 775539 - Court Judgment | ',
	'desc' => array(
		'Judgement' => array(
			'id' => '775539',
			'acts' => '<a href="/act/51922/customs-act-1962-complete-act">Customs Act, 1962</a> - Sections 11, 111, 135 and 135(1)',
			'appealno' => 'Crl. App. No. 615 of 1977',
			'appellant' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai',
			'authreffered' => '',
			'casename' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai Vs. M. Abdulla and anr.',
			'casenote' => ' - Section 16 (1) (c) :[Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Ready and willing to perform-Concurrent findings of fact on consideration of evidence on record that appellants-buyers were not ready and willing to perform terms and conditions of agreement for sale - Buyers failing to pay balance consideration before agitating matter before Supreme Court  Held, Concurrent finding cannot be interfered with. 

Section 20: [Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Whether Time is the essence of contract  Held, Many instance in contract which repeatedly showed that time was to be of essence of contract were specifically mentioned. Clear condition in contract that purchasers would have to definitely deposit balance amount by date stipulated in contract for sale show that time was essence of contract.  -  As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. 7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. ..India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy.',
			'caseanalysis' => null,
			'casesref' => 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal;',
			'citingcases' => '',
			'counselplain' => 'C. Krishnan, Central Government Prosecutor',
			'counseldef' => 'S.R. Sundaram, Adv.',
			'court' => 'Chennai',
			'court_type' => 'HC',
			'decidedon' => '1982-10-19',
			'deposition' => '',
			'favorof' => null,
			'findings' => null,
			'judge' => 'Singaravelu, J.',
			'judgement' => '<p style="text-align: justify;">1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - </p><p style="text-align: justify;">'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' </p><p style="text-align: justify;">8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">',
			'observations' => null,
			'overruledby' => null,
			'prhistory' => '',
			'pubs' => '1983(12)ELT770(Mad)',
			'ratiodecidendi' => '',
			'respondent' => 'M. Abdulla and anr.',
			'sub' => 'Customs',
			'link' => null,
			'circuit' => null
		)
	),
	'casename_url' => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla',
	'args' => array(
		(int) 0 => '775539',
		(int) 1 => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
	)
)
$title_for_layout = 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise Customs Division Madurai Vs M Abdulla and anr - Citation 775539 - Court Judgment | '
$desc = array(
	'Judgement' => array(
		'id' => '775539',
		'acts' => '<a href="/act/51922/customs-act-1962-complete-act">Customs Act, 1962</a> - Sections 11, 111, 135 and 135(1)',
		'appealno' => 'Crl. App. No. 615 of 1977',
		'appellant' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai',
		'authreffered' => '',
		'casename' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai Vs. M. Abdulla and anr.',
		'casenote' => ' - Section 16 (1) (c) :[Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Ready and willing to perform-Concurrent findings of fact on consideration of evidence on record that appellants-buyers were not ready and willing to perform terms and conditions of agreement for sale - Buyers failing to pay balance consideration before agitating matter before Supreme Court  Held, Concurrent finding cannot be interfered with. 

Section 20: [Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Whether Time is the essence of contract  Held, Many instance in contract which repeatedly showed that time was to be of essence of contract were specifically mentioned. Clear condition in contract that purchasers would have to definitely deposit balance amount by date stipulated in contract for sale show that time was essence of contract.  -  As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. 7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. ..India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy.',
		'caseanalysis' => null,
		'casesref' => 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal;',
		'citingcases' => '',
		'counselplain' => 'C. Krishnan, Central Government Prosecutor',
		'counseldef' => 'S.R. Sundaram, Adv.',
		'court' => 'Chennai',
		'court_type' => 'HC',
		'decidedon' => '1982-10-19',
		'deposition' => '',
		'favorof' => null,
		'findings' => null,
		'judge' => 'Singaravelu, J.',
		'judgement' => '<p>1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. </p><p>2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. </p><p>3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. </p><p>4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. </p><p>5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. </p><p>6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. </p><p>7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - </p><p>'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' </p><p>8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p></p><p>',
		'observations' => null,
		'overruledby' => null,
		'prhistory' => '',
		'pubs' => '1983(12)ELT770(Mad)',
		'ratiodecidendi' => '',
		'respondent' => 'M. Abdulla and anr.',
		'sub' => 'Customs',
		'link' => null,
		'circuit' => null
	)
)
$casename_url = 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
$args = array(
	(int) 0 => '775539',
	(int) 1 => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
)
$url = 'https://sooperkanoon.com/case/amp/775539/assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
$ctype = ' High Court'
$caseref = 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal<br>'
include - APP/View/Case/amp.ctp, line 123
View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971
View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473
Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963
Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200
Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
[main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 109

1. this is an appeal by the assistant collector of central excise, customs division, madurai under section 377(2) of the code of criminal procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in ca no. 381 of 1976 on the file of the first additional sessions judge, madurai. 2. a few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. the respondents herein along with one mohammed hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as a-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an ambassador car from dindigul to madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. mohammed hassan (a-1) was driving the car. the excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in.....

Judgment:

Notice (8): Undefined variable: query [APP/View/Case/amp.ctp, line 144]Code Context                                         echo $this->Adsense->display('responsive_rect'); 

                                        }

                                        echo html_entity_decode($this->Wand->highlight($content[$i], $query));
$viewFile = '/home/legalcrystal/app/View/Case/amp.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'title_for_layout' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise Customs Division Madurai Vs M Abdulla and anr - Citation 775539 - Court Judgment | ',
	'desc' => array(
		'Judgement' => array(
			'id' => '775539',
			'acts' => '<a href="/act/51922/customs-act-1962-complete-act">Customs Act, 1962</a> - Sections 11, 111, 135 and 135(1)',
			'appealno' => 'Crl. App. No. 615 of 1977',
			'appellant' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai',
			'authreffered' => '',
			'casename' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai Vs. M. Abdulla and anr.',
			'casenote' => ' - Section 16 (1) (c) :[Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Ready and willing to perform-Concurrent findings of fact on consideration of evidence on record that appellants-buyers were not ready and willing to perform terms and conditions of agreement for sale - Buyers failing to pay balance consideration before agitating matter before Supreme Court  Held, Concurrent finding cannot be interfered with. 

Section 20: [Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Whether Time is the essence of contract  Held, Many instance in contract which repeatedly showed that time was to be of essence of contract were specifically mentioned. Clear condition in contract that purchasers would have to definitely deposit balance amount by date stipulated in contract for sale show that time was essence of contract.  -  As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. 7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. ..India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy.',
			'caseanalysis' => null,
			'casesref' => 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal;',
			'citingcases' => '',
			'counselplain' => 'C. Krishnan, Central Government Prosecutor',
			'counseldef' => 'S.R. Sundaram, Adv.',
			'court' => 'Chennai',
			'court_type' => 'HC',
			'decidedon' => '1982-10-19',
			'deposition' => '',
			'favorof' => null,
			'findings' => null,
			'judge' => 'Singaravelu, J.',
			'judgement' => '<p style="text-align: justify;">1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - </p><p style="text-align: justify;">'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' </p><p style="text-align: justify;">8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">',
			'observations' => null,
			'overruledby' => null,
			'prhistory' => '',
			'pubs' => '1983(12)ELT770(Mad)',
			'ratiodecidendi' => '',
			'respondent' => 'M. Abdulla and anr.',
			'sub' => 'Customs',
			'link' => null,
			'circuit' => null
		)
	),
	'casename_url' => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla',
	'args' => array(
		(int) 0 => '775539',
		(int) 1 => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
	)
)
$title_for_layout = 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise Customs Division Madurai Vs M Abdulla and anr - Citation 775539 - Court Judgment | '
$desc = array(
	'Judgement' => array(
		'id' => '775539',
		'acts' => '<a href="/act/51922/customs-act-1962-complete-act">Customs Act, 1962</a> - Sections 11, 111, 135 and 135(1)',
		'appealno' => 'Crl. App. No. 615 of 1977',
		'appellant' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai',
		'authreffered' => '',
		'casename' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai Vs. M. Abdulla and anr.',
		'casenote' => ' - Section 16 (1) (c) :[Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Ready and willing to perform-Concurrent findings of fact on consideration of evidence on record that appellants-buyers were not ready and willing to perform terms and conditions of agreement for sale - Buyers failing to pay balance consideration before agitating matter before Supreme Court  Held, Concurrent finding cannot be interfered with. 

Section 20: [Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Whether Time is the essence of contract  Held, Many instance in contract which repeatedly showed that time was to be of essence of contract were specifically mentioned. Clear condition in contract that purchasers would have to definitely deposit balance amount by date stipulated in contract for sale show that time was essence of contract.  -  As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. 7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. ..India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy.',
		'caseanalysis' => null,
		'casesref' => 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal;',
		'citingcases' => '',
		'counselplain' => 'C. Krishnan, Central Government Prosecutor',
		'counseldef' => 'S.R. Sundaram, Adv.',
		'court' => 'Chennai',
		'court_type' => 'HC',
		'decidedon' => '1982-10-19',
		'deposition' => '',
		'favorof' => null,
		'findings' => null,
		'judge' => 'Singaravelu, J.',
		'judgement' => '<p>1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. </p><p>2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. </p><p>3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. </p><p>4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. </p><p>5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. </p><p>6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. </p><p>7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - </p><p>'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' </p><p>8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p></p><p>',
		'observations' => null,
		'overruledby' => null,
		'prhistory' => '',
		'pubs' => '1983(12)ELT770(Mad)',
		'ratiodecidendi' => '',
		'respondent' => 'M. Abdulla and anr.',
		'sub' => 'Customs',
		'link' => null,
		'circuit' => null
	)
)
$casename_url = 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
$args = array(
	(int) 0 => '775539',
	(int) 1 => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
)
$url = 'https://sooperkanoon.com/case/amp/775539/assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
$ctype = ' High Court'
$caseref = 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal<br>'
$content = array(
	(int) 0 => '<p>1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. ',
	(int) 1 => '<p>2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. ',
	(int) 2 => '<p>3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. ',
	(int) 3 => '<p>4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. ',
	(int) 4 => '<p>5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. ',
	(int) 5 => '<p>6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. ',
	(int) 6 => '<p>7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - ',
	(int) 7 => '<p>'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' ',
	(int) 8 => '<p>8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p>',
	(int) 9 => '<p>'
)
$paragraphAfter = (int) 1
$cnt = (int) 10
$i = (int) 0
include - APP/View/Case/amp.ctp, line 144
View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971
View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473
Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963
Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200
Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
[main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 109

1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai.

Notice (8): Undefined variable: query [APP/View/Case/amp.ctp, line 144]Code Context                                         echo $this->Adsense->display('responsive_rect'); 

                                        }

                                        echo html_entity_decode($this->Wand->highlight($content[$i], $query));
$viewFile = '/home/legalcrystal/app/View/Case/amp.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'title_for_layout' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise Customs Division Madurai Vs M Abdulla and anr - Citation 775539 - Court Judgment | ',
	'desc' => array(
		'Judgement' => array(
			'id' => '775539',
			'acts' => '<a href="/act/51922/customs-act-1962-complete-act">Customs Act, 1962</a> - Sections 11, 111, 135 and 135(1)',
			'appealno' => 'Crl. App. No. 615 of 1977',
			'appellant' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai',
			'authreffered' => '',
			'casename' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai Vs. M. Abdulla and anr.',
			'casenote' => ' - Section 16 (1) (c) :[Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Ready and willing to perform-Concurrent findings of fact on consideration of evidence on record that appellants-buyers were not ready and willing to perform terms and conditions of agreement for sale - Buyers failing to pay balance consideration before agitating matter before Supreme Court  Held, Concurrent finding cannot be interfered with. 

Section 20: [Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Whether Time is the essence of contract  Held, Many instance in contract which repeatedly showed that time was to be of essence of contract were specifically mentioned. Clear condition in contract that purchasers would have to definitely deposit balance amount by date stipulated in contract for sale show that time was essence of contract.  -  As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. 7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. ..India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy.',
			'caseanalysis' => null,
			'casesref' => 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal;',
			'citingcases' => '',
			'counselplain' => 'C. Krishnan, Central Government Prosecutor',
			'counseldef' => 'S.R. Sundaram, Adv.',
			'court' => 'Chennai',
			'court_type' => 'HC',
			'decidedon' => '1982-10-19',
			'deposition' => '',
			'favorof' => null,
			'findings' => null,
			'judge' => 'Singaravelu, J.',
			'judgement' => '<p style="text-align: justify;">1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - </p><p style="text-align: justify;">'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' </p><p style="text-align: justify;">8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">',
			'observations' => null,
			'overruledby' => null,
			'prhistory' => '',
			'pubs' => '1983(12)ELT770(Mad)',
			'ratiodecidendi' => '',
			'respondent' => 'M. Abdulla and anr.',
			'sub' => 'Customs',
			'link' => null,
			'circuit' => null
		)
	),
	'casename_url' => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla',
	'args' => array(
		(int) 0 => '775539',
		(int) 1 => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
	)
)
$title_for_layout = 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise Customs Division Madurai Vs M Abdulla and anr - Citation 775539 - Court Judgment | '
$desc = array(
	'Judgement' => array(
		'id' => '775539',
		'acts' => '<a href="/act/51922/customs-act-1962-complete-act">Customs Act, 1962</a> - Sections 11, 111, 135 and 135(1)',
		'appealno' => 'Crl. App. No. 615 of 1977',
		'appellant' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai',
		'authreffered' => '',
		'casename' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai Vs. M. Abdulla and anr.',
		'casenote' => ' - Section 16 (1) (c) :[Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Ready and willing to perform-Concurrent findings of fact on consideration of evidence on record that appellants-buyers were not ready and willing to perform terms and conditions of agreement for sale - Buyers failing to pay balance consideration before agitating matter before Supreme Court  Held, Concurrent finding cannot be interfered with. 

Section 20: [Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Whether Time is the essence of contract  Held, Many instance in contract which repeatedly showed that time was to be of essence of contract were specifically mentioned. Clear condition in contract that purchasers would have to definitely deposit balance amount by date stipulated in contract for sale show that time was essence of contract.  -  As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. 7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. ..India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy.',
		'caseanalysis' => null,
		'casesref' => 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal;',
		'citingcases' => '',
		'counselplain' => 'C. Krishnan, Central Government Prosecutor',
		'counseldef' => 'S.R. Sundaram, Adv.',
		'court' => 'Chennai',
		'court_type' => 'HC',
		'decidedon' => '1982-10-19',
		'deposition' => '',
		'favorof' => null,
		'findings' => null,
		'judge' => 'Singaravelu, J.',
		'judgement' => '<p>1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. </p><p>2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. </p><p>3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. </p><p>4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. </p><p>5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. </p><p>6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. </p><p>7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - </p><p>'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' </p><p>8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p></p><p>',
		'observations' => null,
		'overruledby' => null,
		'prhistory' => '',
		'pubs' => '1983(12)ELT770(Mad)',
		'ratiodecidendi' => '',
		'respondent' => 'M. Abdulla and anr.',
		'sub' => 'Customs',
		'link' => null,
		'circuit' => null
	)
)
$casename_url = 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
$args = array(
	(int) 0 => '775539',
	(int) 1 => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
)
$url = 'https://sooperkanoon.com/case/amp/775539/assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
$ctype = ' High Court'
$caseref = 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal<br>'
$content = array(
	(int) 0 => '<p>1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. ',
	(int) 1 => '<p>2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. ',
	(int) 2 => '<p>3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. ',
	(int) 3 => '<p>4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. ',
	(int) 4 => '<p>5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. ',
	(int) 5 => '<p>6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. ',
	(int) 6 => '<p>7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - ',
	(int) 7 => '<p>'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' ',
	(int) 8 => '<p>8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p>',
	(int) 9 => '<p>'
)
$paragraphAfter = (int) 1
$cnt = (int) 10
$i = (int) 1
include - APP/View/Case/amp.ctp, line 144
View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971
View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473
Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963
Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200
Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
[main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 109

2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently.

Notice (8): Undefined variable: query [APP/View/Case/amp.ctp, line 144]Code Context                                         echo $this->Adsense->display('responsive_rect'); 

                                        }

                                        echo html_entity_decode($this->Wand->highlight($content[$i], $query));
$viewFile = '/home/legalcrystal/app/View/Case/amp.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'title_for_layout' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise Customs Division Madurai Vs M Abdulla and anr - Citation 775539 - Court Judgment | ',
	'desc' => array(
		'Judgement' => array(
			'id' => '775539',
			'acts' => '<a href="/act/51922/customs-act-1962-complete-act">Customs Act, 1962</a> - Sections 11, 111, 135 and 135(1)',
			'appealno' => 'Crl. App. No. 615 of 1977',
			'appellant' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai',
			'authreffered' => '',
			'casename' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai Vs. M. Abdulla and anr.',
			'casenote' => ' - Section 16 (1) (c) :[Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Ready and willing to perform-Concurrent findings of fact on consideration of evidence on record that appellants-buyers were not ready and willing to perform terms and conditions of agreement for sale - Buyers failing to pay balance consideration before agitating matter before Supreme Court  Held, Concurrent finding cannot be interfered with. 

Section 20: [Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Whether Time is the essence of contract  Held, Many instance in contract which repeatedly showed that time was to be of essence of contract were specifically mentioned. Clear condition in contract that purchasers would have to definitely deposit balance amount by date stipulated in contract for sale show that time was essence of contract.  -  As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. 7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. ..India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy.',
			'caseanalysis' => null,
			'casesref' => 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal;',
			'citingcases' => '',
			'counselplain' => 'C. Krishnan, Central Government Prosecutor',
			'counseldef' => 'S.R. Sundaram, Adv.',
			'court' => 'Chennai',
			'court_type' => 'HC',
			'decidedon' => '1982-10-19',
			'deposition' => '',
			'favorof' => null,
			'findings' => null,
			'judge' => 'Singaravelu, J.',
			'judgement' => '<p style="text-align: justify;">1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - </p><p style="text-align: justify;">'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' </p><p style="text-align: justify;">8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">',
			'observations' => null,
			'overruledby' => null,
			'prhistory' => '',
			'pubs' => '1983(12)ELT770(Mad)',
			'ratiodecidendi' => '',
			'respondent' => 'M. Abdulla and anr.',
			'sub' => 'Customs',
			'link' => null,
			'circuit' => null
		)
	),
	'casename_url' => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla',
	'args' => array(
		(int) 0 => '775539',
		(int) 1 => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
	)
)
$title_for_layout = 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise Customs Division Madurai Vs M Abdulla and anr - Citation 775539 - Court Judgment | '
$desc = array(
	'Judgement' => array(
		'id' => '775539',
		'acts' => '<a href="/act/51922/customs-act-1962-complete-act">Customs Act, 1962</a> - Sections 11, 111, 135 and 135(1)',
		'appealno' => 'Crl. App. No. 615 of 1977',
		'appellant' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai',
		'authreffered' => '',
		'casename' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai Vs. M. Abdulla and anr.',
		'casenote' => ' - Section 16 (1) (c) :[Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Ready and willing to perform-Concurrent findings of fact on consideration of evidence on record that appellants-buyers were not ready and willing to perform terms and conditions of agreement for sale - Buyers failing to pay balance consideration before agitating matter before Supreme Court  Held, Concurrent finding cannot be interfered with. 

Section 20: [Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Whether Time is the essence of contract  Held, Many instance in contract which repeatedly showed that time was to be of essence of contract were specifically mentioned. Clear condition in contract that purchasers would have to definitely deposit balance amount by date stipulated in contract for sale show that time was essence of contract.  -  As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. 7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. ..India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy.',
		'caseanalysis' => null,
		'casesref' => 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal;',
		'citingcases' => '',
		'counselplain' => 'C. Krishnan, Central Government Prosecutor',
		'counseldef' => 'S.R. Sundaram, Adv.',
		'court' => 'Chennai',
		'court_type' => 'HC',
		'decidedon' => '1982-10-19',
		'deposition' => '',
		'favorof' => null,
		'findings' => null,
		'judge' => 'Singaravelu, J.',
		'judgement' => '<p>1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. </p><p>2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. </p><p>3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. </p><p>4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. </p><p>5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. </p><p>6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. </p><p>7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - </p><p>'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' </p><p>8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p></p><p>',
		'observations' => null,
		'overruledby' => null,
		'prhistory' => '',
		'pubs' => '1983(12)ELT770(Mad)',
		'ratiodecidendi' => '',
		'respondent' => 'M. Abdulla and anr.',
		'sub' => 'Customs',
		'link' => null,
		'circuit' => null
	)
)
$casename_url = 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
$args = array(
	(int) 0 => '775539',
	(int) 1 => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
)
$url = 'https://sooperkanoon.com/case/amp/775539/assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
$ctype = ' High Court'
$caseref = 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal<br>'
$content = array(
	(int) 0 => '<p>1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. ',
	(int) 1 => '<p>2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. ',
	(int) 2 => '<p>3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. ',
	(int) 3 => '<p>4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. ',
	(int) 4 => '<p>5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. ',
	(int) 5 => '<p>6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. ',
	(int) 6 => '<p>7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - ',
	(int) 7 => '<p>'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' ',
	(int) 8 => '<p>8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p>',
	(int) 9 => '<p>'
)
$paragraphAfter = (int) 1
$cnt = (int) 10
$i = (int) 2
include - APP/View/Case/amp.ctp, line 144
View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971
View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473
Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963
Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200
Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
[main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 109

3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C.

Notice (8): Undefined variable: query [APP/View/Case/amp.ctp, line 144]Code Context                                         echo $this->Adsense->display('responsive_rect'); 

                                        }

                                        echo html_entity_decode($this->Wand->highlight($content[$i], $query));
$viewFile = '/home/legalcrystal/app/View/Case/amp.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'title_for_layout' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise Customs Division Madurai Vs M Abdulla and anr - Citation 775539 - Court Judgment | ',
	'desc' => array(
		'Judgement' => array(
			'id' => '775539',
			'acts' => '<a href="/act/51922/customs-act-1962-complete-act">Customs Act, 1962</a> - Sections 11, 111, 135 and 135(1)',
			'appealno' => 'Crl. App. No. 615 of 1977',
			'appellant' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai',
			'authreffered' => '',
			'casename' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai Vs. M. Abdulla and anr.',
			'casenote' => ' - Section 16 (1) (c) :[Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Ready and willing to perform-Concurrent findings of fact on consideration of evidence on record that appellants-buyers were not ready and willing to perform terms and conditions of agreement for sale - Buyers failing to pay balance consideration before agitating matter before Supreme Court  Held, Concurrent finding cannot be interfered with. 

Section 20: [Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Whether Time is the essence of contract  Held, Many instance in contract which repeatedly showed that time was to be of essence of contract were specifically mentioned. Clear condition in contract that purchasers would have to definitely deposit balance amount by date stipulated in contract for sale show that time was essence of contract.  -  As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. 7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. ..India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy.',
			'caseanalysis' => null,
			'casesref' => 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal;',
			'citingcases' => '',
			'counselplain' => 'C. Krishnan, Central Government Prosecutor',
			'counseldef' => 'S.R. Sundaram, Adv.',
			'court' => 'Chennai',
			'court_type' => 'HC',
			'decidedon' => '1982-10-19',
			'deposition' => '',
			'favorof' => null,
			'findings' => null,
			'judge' => 'Singaravelu, J.',
			'judgement' => '<p style="text-align: justify;">1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - </p><p style="text-align: justify;">'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' </p><p style="text-align: justify;">8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">',
			'observations' => null,
			'overruledby' => null,
			'prhistory' => '',
			'pubs' => '1983(12)ELT770(Mad)',
			'ratiodecidendi' => '',
			'respondent' => 'M. Abdulla and anr.',
			'sub' => 'Customs',
			'link' => null,
			'circuit' => null
		)
	),
	'casename_url' => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla',
	'args' => array(
		(int) 0 => '775539',
		(int) 1 => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
	)
)
$title_for_layout = 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise Customs Division Madurai Vs M Abdulla and anr - Citation 775539 - Court Judgment | '
$desc = array(
	'Judgement' => array(
		'id' => '775539',
		'acts' => '<a href="/act/51922/customs-act-1962-complete-act">Customs Act, 1962</a> - Sections 11, 111, 135 and 135(1)',
		'appealno' => 'Crl. App. No. 615 of 1977',
		'appellant' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai',
		'authreffered' => '',
		'casename' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai Vs. M. Abdulla and anr.',
		'casenote' => ' - Section 16 (1) (c) :[Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Ready and willing to perform-Concurrent findings of fact on consideration of evidence on record that appellants-buyers were not ready and willing to perform terms and conditions of agreement for sale - Buyers failing to pay balance consideration before agitating matter before Supreme Court  Held, Concurrent finding cannot be interfered with. 

Section 20: [Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Whether Time is the essence of contract  Held, Many instance in contract which repeatedly showed that time was to be of essence of contract were specifically mentioned. Clear condition in contract that purchasers would have to definitely deposit balance amount by date stipulated in contract for sale show that time was essence of contract.  -  As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. 7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. ..India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy.',
		'caseanalysis' => null,
		'casesref' => 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal;',
		'citingcases' => '',
		'counselplain' => 'C. Krishnan, Central Government Prosecutor',
		'counseldef' => 'S.R. Sundaram, Adv.',
		'court' => 'Chennai',
		'court_type' => 'HC',
		'decidedon' => '1982-10-19',
		'deposition' => '',
		'favorof' => null,
		'findings' => null,
		'judge' => 'Singaravelu, J.',
		'judgement' => '<p>1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. </p><p>2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. </p><p>3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. </p><p>4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. </p><p>5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. </p><p>6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. </p><p>7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - </p><p>'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' </p><p>8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p></p><p>',
		'observations' => null,
		'overruledby' => null,
		'prhistory' => '',
		'pubs' => '1983(12)ELT770(Mad)',
		'ratiodecidendi' => '',
		'respondent' => 'M. Abdulla and anr.',
		'sub' => 'Customs',
		'link' => null,
		'circuit' => null
	)
)
$casename_url = 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
$args = array(
	(int) 0 => '775539',
	(int) 1 => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
)
$url = 'https://sooperkanoon.com/case/amp/775539/assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
$ctype = ' High Court'
$caseref = 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal<br>'
$content = array(
	(int) 0 => '<p>1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. ',
	(int) 1 => '<p>2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. ',
	(int) 2 => '<p>3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. ',
	(int) 3 => '<p>4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. ',
	(int) 4 => '<p>5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. ',
	(int) 5 => '<p>6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. ',
	(int) 6 => '<p>7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - ',
	(int) 7 => '<p>'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' ',
	(int) 8 => '<p>8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p>',
	(int) 9 => '<p>'
)
$paragraphAfter = (int) 1
$cnt = (int) 10
$i = (int) 3
include - APP/View/Case/amp.ctp, line 144
View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971
View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473
Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963
Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200
Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
[main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 109

4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard.

Notice (8): Undefined variable: query [APP/View/Case/amp.ctp, line 144]Code Context                                         echo $this->Adsense->display('responsive_rect'); 

                                        }

                                        echo html_entity_decode($this->Wand->highlight($content[$i], $query));
$viewFile = '/home/legalcrystal/app/View/Case/amp.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'title_for_layout' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise Customs Division Madurai Vs M Abdulla and anr - Citation 775539 - Court Judgment | ',
	'desc' => array(
		'Judgement' => array(
			'id' => '775539',
			'acts' => '<a href="/act/51922/customs-act-1962-complete-act">Customs Act, 1962</a> - Sections 11, 111, 135 and 135(1)',
			'appealno' => 'Crl. App. No. 615 of 1977',
			'appellant' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai',
			'authreffered' => '',
			'casename' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai Vs. M. Abdulla and anr.',
			'casenote' => ' - Section 16 (1) (c) :[Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Ready and willing to perform-Concurrent findings of fact on consideration of evidence on record that appellants-buyers were not ready and willing to perform terms and conditions of agreement for sale - Buyers failing to pay balance consideration before agitating matter before Supreme Court  Held, Concurrent finding cannot be interfered with. 

Section 20: [Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Whether Time is the essence of contract  Held, Many instance in contract which repeatedly showed that time was to be of essence of contract were specifically mentioned. Clear condition in contract that purchasers would have to definitely deposit balance amount by date stipulated in contract for sale show that time was essence of contract.  -  As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. 7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. ..India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy.',
			'caseanalysis' => null,
			'casesref' => 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal;',
			'citingcases' => '',
			'counselplain' => 'C. Krishnan, Central Government Prosecutor',
			'counseldef' => 'S.R. Sundaram, Adv.',
			'court' => 'Chennai',
			'court_type' => 'HC',
			'decidedon' => '1982-10-19',
			'deposition' => '',
			'favorof' => null,
			'findings' => null,
			'judge' => 'Singaravelu, J.',
			'judgement' => '<p style="text-align: justify;">1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - </p><p style="text-align: justify;">'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' </p><p style="text-align: justify;">8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">',
			'observations' => null,
			'overruledby' => null,
			'prhistory' => '',
			'pubs' => '1983(12)ELT770(Mad)',
			'ratiodecidendi' => '',
			'respondent' => 'M. Abdulla and anr.',
			'sub' => 'Customs',
			'link' => null,
			'circuit' => null
		)
	),
	'casename_url' => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla',
	'args' => array(
		(int) 0 => '775539',
		(int) 1 => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
	)
)
$title_for_layout = 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise Customs Division Madurai Vs M Abdulla and anr - Citation 775539 - Court Judgment | '
$desc = array(
	'Judgement' => array(
		'id' => '775539',
		'acts' => '<a href="/act/51922/customs-act-1962-complete-act">Customs Act, 1962</a> - Sections 11, 111, 135 and 135(1)',
		'appealno' => 'Crl. App. No. 615 of 1977',
		'appellant' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai',
		'authreffered' => '',
		'casename' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai Vs. M. Abdulla and anr.',
		'casenote' => ' - Section 16 (1) (c) :[Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Ready and willing to perform-Concurrent findings of fact on consideration of evidence on record that appellants-buyers were not ready and willing to perform terms and conditions of agreement for sale - Buyers failing to pay balance consideration before agitating matter before Supreme Court  Held, Concurrent finding cannot be interfered with. 

Section 20: [Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Whether Time is the essence of contract  Held, Many instance in contract which repeatedly showed that time was to be of essence of contract were specifically mentioned. Clear condition in contract that purchasers would have to definitely deposit balance amount by date stipulated in contract for sale show that time was essence of contract.  -  As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. 7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. ..India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy.',
		'caseanalysis' => null,
		'casesref' => 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal;',
		'citingcases' => '',
		'counselplain' => 'C. Krishnan, Central Government Prosecutor',
		'counseldef' => 'S.R. Sundaram, Adv.',
		'court' => 'Chennai',
		'court_type' => 'HC',
		'decidedon' => '1982-10-19',
		'deposition' => '',
		'favorof' => null,
		'findings' => null,
		'judge' => 'Singaravelu, J.',
		'judgement' => '<p>1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. </p><p>2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. </p><p>3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. </p><p>4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. </p><p>5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. </p><p>6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. </p><p>7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - </p><p>'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' </p><p>8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p></p><p>',
		'observations' => null,
		'overruledby' => null,
		'prhistory' => '',
		'pubs' => '1983(12)ELT770(Mad)',
		'ratiodecidendi' => '',
		'respondent' => 'M. Abdulla and anr.',
		'sub' => 'Customs',
		'link' => null,
		'circuit' => null
	)
)
$casename_url = 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
$args = array(
	(int) 0 => '775539',
	(int) 1 => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
)
$url = 'https://sooperkanoon.com/case/amp/775539/assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
$ctype = ' High Court'
$caseref = 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal<br>'
$content = array(
	(int) 0 => '<p>1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. ',
	(int) 1 => '<p>2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. ',
	(int) 2 => '<p>3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. ',
	(int) 3 => '<p>4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. ',
	(int) 4 => '<p>5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. ',
	(int) 5 => '<p>6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. ',
	(int) 6 => '<p>7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - ',
	(int) 7 => '<p>'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' ',
	(int) 8 => '<p>8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p>',
	(int) 9 => '<p>'
)
$paragraphAfter = (int) 1
$cnt = (int) 10
$i = (int) 4
include - APP/View/Case/amp.ctp, line 144
View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971
View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473
Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963
Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200
Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
[main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 109

5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent.

Notice (8): Undefined variable: query [APP/View/Case/amp.ctp, line 144]Code Context                                         echo $this->Adsense->display('responsive_rect'); 

                                        }

                                        echo html_entity_decode($this->Wand->highlight($content[$i], $query));
$viewFile = '/home/legalcrystal/app/View/Case/amp.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'title_for_layout' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise Customs Division Madurai Vs M Abdulla and anr - Citation 775539 - Court Judgment | ',
	'desc' => array(
		'Judgement' => array(
			'id' => '775539',
			'acts' => '<a href="/act/51922/customs-act-1962-complete-act">Customs Act, 1962</a> - Sections 11, 111, 135 and 135(1)',
			'appealno' => 'Crl. App. No. 615 of 1977',
			'appellant' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai',
			'authreffered' => '',
			'casename' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai Vs. M. Abdulla and anr.',
			'casenote' => ' - Section 16 (1) (c) :[Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Ready and willing to perform-Concurrent findings of fact on consideration of evidence on record that appellants-buyers were not ready and willing to perform terms and conditions of agreement for sale - Buyers failing to pay balance consideration before agitating matter before Supreme Court  Held, Concurrent finding cannot be interfered with. 

Section 20: [Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Whether Time is the essence of contract  Held, Many instance in contract which repeatedly showed that time was to be of essence of contract were specifically mentioned. Clear condition in contract that purchasers would have to definitely deposit balance amount by date stipulated in contract for sale show that time was essence of contract.  -  As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. 7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. ..India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy.',
			'caseanalysis' => null,
			'casesref' => 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal;',
			'citingcases' => '',
			'counselplain' => 'C. Krishnan, Central Government Prosecutor',
			'counseldef' => 'S.R. Sundaram, Adv.',
			'court' => 'Chennai',
			'court_type' => 'HC',
			'decidedon' => '1982-10-19',
			'deposition' => '',
			'favorof' => null,
			'findings' => null,
			'judge' => 'Singaravelu, J.',
			'judgement' => '<p style="text-align: justify;">1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - </p><p style="text-align: justify;">'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' </p><p style="text-align: justify;">8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">',
			'observations' => null,
			'overruledby' => null,
			'prhistory' => '',
			'pubs' => '1983(12)ELT770(Mad)',
			'ratiodecidendi' => '',
			'respondent' => 'M. Abdulla and anr.',
			'sub' => 'Customs',
			'link' => null,
			'circuit' => null
		)
	),
	'casename_url' => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla',
	'args' => array(
		(int) 0 => '775539',
		(int) 1 => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
	)
)
$title_for_layout = 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise Customs Division Madurai Vs M Abdulla and anr - Citation 775539 - Court Judgment | '
$desc = array(
	'Judgement' => array(
		'id' => '775539',
		'acts' => '<a href="/act/51922/customs-act-1962-complete-act">Customs Act, 1962</a> - Sections 11, 111, 135 and 135(1)',
		'appealno' => 'Crl. App. No. 615 of 1977',
		'appellant' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai',
		'authreffered' => '',
		'casename' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai Vs. M. Abdulla and anr.',
		'casenote' => ' - Section 16 (1) (c) :[Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Ready and willing to perform-Concurrent findings of fact on consideration of evidence on record that appellants-buyers were not ready and willing to perform terms and conditions of agreement for sale - Buyers failing to pay balance consideration before agitating matter before Supreme Court  Held, Concurrent finding cannot be interfered with. 

Section 20: [Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Whether Time is the essence of contract  Held, Many instance in contract which repeatedly showed that time was to be of essence of contract were specifically mentioned. Clear condition in contract that purchasers would have to definitely deposit balance amount by date stipulated in contract for sale show that time was essence of contract.  -  As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. 7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. ..India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy.',
		'caseanalysis' => null,
		'casesref' => 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal;',
		'citingcases' => '',
		'counselplain' => 'C. Krishnan, Central Government Prosecutor',
		'counseldef' => 'S.R. Sundaram, Adv.',
		'court' => 'Chennai',
		'court_type' => 'HC',
		'decidedon' => '1982-10-19',
		'deposition' => '',
		'favorof' => null,
		'findings' => null,
		'judge' => 'Singaravelu, J.',
		'judgement' => '<p>1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. </p><p>2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. </p><p>3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. </p><p>4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. </p><p>5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. </p><p>6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. </p><p>7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - </p><p>'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' </p><p>8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p></p><p>',
		'observations' => null,
		'overruledby' => null,
		'prhistory' => '',
		'pubs' => '1983(12)ELT770(Mad)',
		'ratiodecidendi' => '',
		'respondent' => 'M. Abdulla and anr.',
		'sub' => 'Customs',
		'link' => null,
		'circuit' => null
	)
)
$casename_url = 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
$args = array(
	(int) 0 => '775539',
	(int) 1 => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
)
$url = 'https://sooperkanoon.com/case/amp/775539/assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
$ctype = ' High Court'
$caseref = 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal<br>'
$content = array(
	(int) 0 => '<p>1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. ',
	(int) 1 => '<p>2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. ',
	(int) 2 => '<p>3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. ',
	(int) 3 => '<p>4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. ',
	(int) 4 => '<p>5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. ',
	(int) 5 => '<p>6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. ',
	(int) 6 => '<p>7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - ',
	(int) 7 => '<p>'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' ',
	(int) 8 => '<p>8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p>',
	(int) 9 => '<p>'
)
$paragraphAfter = (int) 1
$cnt = (int) 10
$i = (int) 5
include - APP/View/Case/amp.ctp, line 144
View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971
View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473
Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963
Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200
Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
[main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 109

6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail.

Notice (8): Undefined variable: query [APP/View/Case/amp.ctp, line 144]Code Context                                         echo $this->Adsense->display('responsive_rect'); 

                                        }

                                        echo html_entity_decode($this->Wand->highlight($content[$i], $query));
$viewFile = '/home/legalcrystal/app/View/Case/amp.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'title_for_layout' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise Customs Division Madurai Vs M Abdulla and anr - Citation 775539 - Court Judgment | ',
	'desc' => array(
		'Judgement' => array(
			'id' => '775539',
			'acts' => '<a href="/act/51922/customs-act-1962-complete-act">Customs Act, 1962</a> - Sections 11, 111, 135 and 135(1)',
			'appealno' => 'Crl. App. No. 615 of 1977',
			'appellant' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai',
			'authreffered' => '',
			'casename' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai Vs. M. Abdulla and anr.',
			'casenote' => ' - Section 16 (1) (c) :[Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Ready and willing to perform-Concurrent findings of fact on consideration of evidence on record that appellants-buyers were not ready and willing to perform terms and conditions of agreement for sale - Buyers failing to pay balance consideration before agitating matter before Supreme Court  Held, Concurrent finding cannot be interfered with. 

Section 20: [Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Whether Time is the essence of contract  Held, Many instance in contract which repeatedly showed that time was to be of essence of contract were specifically mentioned. Clear condition in contract that purchasers would have to definitely deposit balance amount by date stipulated in contract for sale show that time was essence of contract.  -  As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. 7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. ..India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy.',
			'caseanalysis' => null,
			'casesref' => 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal;',
			'citingcases' => '',
			'counselplain' => 'C. Krishnan, Central Government Prosecutor',
			'counseldef' => 'S.R. Sundaram, Adv.',
			'court' => 'Chennai',
			'court_type' => 'HC',
			'decidedon' => '1982-10-19',
			'deposition' => '',
			'favorof' => null,
			'findings' => null,
			'judge' => 'Singaravelu, J.',
			'judgement' => '<p style="text-align: justify;">1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - </p><p style="text-align: justify;">'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' </p><p style="text-align: justify;">8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">',
			'observations' => null,
			'overruledby' => null,
			'prhistory' => '',
			'pubs' => '1983(12)ELT770(Mad)',
			'ratiodecidendi' => '',
			'respondent' => 'M. Abdulla and anr.',
			'sub' => 'Customs',
			'link' => null,
			'circuit' => null
		)
	),
	'casename_url' => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla',
	'args' => array(
		(int) 0 => '775539',
		(int) 1 => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
	)
)
$title_for_layout = 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise Customs Division Madurai Vs M Abdulla and anr - Citation 775539 - Court Judgment | '
$desc = array(
	'Judgement' => array(
		'id' => '775539',
		'acts' => '<a href="/act/51922/customs-act-1962-complete-act">Customs Act, 1962</a> - Sections 11, 111, 135 and 135(1)',
		'appealno' => 'Crl. App. No. 615 of 1977',
		'appellant' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai',
		'authreffered' => '',
		'casename' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai Vs. M. Abdulla and anr.',
		'casenote' => ' - Section 16 (1) (c) :[Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Ready and willing to perform-Concurrent findings of fact on consideration of evidence on record that appellants-buyers were not ready and willing to perform terms and conditions of agreement for sale - Buyers failing to pay balance consideration before agitating matter before Supreme Court  Held, Concurrent finding cannot be interfered with. 

Section 20: [Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Whether Time is the essence of contract  Held, Many instance in contract which repeatedly showed that time was to be of essence of contract were specifically mentioned. Clear condition in contract that purchasers would have to definitely deposit balance amount by date stipulated in contract for sale show that time was essence of contract.  -  As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. 7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. ..India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy.',
		'caseanalysis' => null,
		'casesref' => 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal;',
		'citingcases' => '',
		'counselplain' => 'C. Krishnan, Central Government Prosecutor',
		'counseldef' => 'S.R. Sundaram, Adv.',
		'court' => 'Chennai',
		'court_type' => 'HC',
		'decidedon' => '1982-10-19',
		'deposition' => '',
		'favorof' => null,
		'findings' => null,
		'judge' => 'Singaravelu, J.',
		'judgement' => '<p>1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. </p><p>2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. </p><p>3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. </p><p>4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. </p><p>5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. </p><p>6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. </p><p>7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - </p><p>'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' </p><p>8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p></p><p>',
		'observations' => null,
		'overruledby' => null,
		'prhistory' => '',
		'pubs' => '1983(12)ELT770(Mad)',
		'ratiodecidendi' => '',
		'respondent' => 'M. Abdulla and anr.',
		'sub' => 'Customs',
		'link' => null,
		'circuit' => null
	)
)
$casename_url = 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
$args = array(
	(int) 0 => '775539',
	(int) 1 => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
)
$url = 'https://sooperkanoon.com/case/amp/775539/assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
$ctype = ' High Court'
$caseref = 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal<br>'
$content = array(
	(int) 0 => '<p>1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. ',
	(int) 1 => '<p>2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. ',
	(int) 2 => '<p>3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. ',
	(int) 3 => '<p>4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. ',
	(int) 4 => '<p>5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. ',
	(int) 5 => '<p>6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. ',
	(int) 6 => '<p>7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - ',
	(int) 7 => '<p>'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' ',
	(int) 8 => '<p>8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p>',
	(int) 9 => '<p>'
)
$paragraphAfter = (int) 1
$cnt = (int) 10
$i = (int) 6
include - APP/View/Case/amp.ctp, line 144
View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971
View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473
Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963
Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200
Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
[main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 109

7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus -

Notice (8): Undefined variable: query [APP/View/Case/amp.ctp, line 144]Code Context                                         echo $this->Adsense->display('responsive_rect'); 

                                        }

                                        echo html_entity_decode($this->Wand->highlight($content[$i], $query));
$viewFile = '/home/legalcrystal/app/View/Case/amp.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'title_for_layout' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise Customs Division Madurai Vs M Abdulla and anr - Citation 775539 - Court Judgment | ',
	'desc' => array(
		'Judgement' => array(
			'id' => '775539',
			'acts' => '<a href="/act/51922/customs-act-1962-complete-act">Customs Act, 1962</a> - Sections 11, 111, 135 and 135(1)',
			'appealno' => 'Crl. App. No. 615 of 1977',
			'appellant' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai',
			'authreffered' => '',
			'casename' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai Vs. M. Abdulla and anr.',
			'casenote' => ' - Section 16 (1) (c) :[Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Ready and willing to perform-Concurrent findings of fact on consideration of evidence on record that appellants-buyers were not ready and willing to perform terms and conditions of agreement for sale - Buyers failing to pay balance consideration before agitating matter before Supreme Court  Held, Concurrent finding cannot be interfered with. 

Section 20: [Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Whether Time is the essence of contract  Held, Many instance in contract which repeatedly showed that time was to be of essence of contract were specifically mentioned. Clear condition in contract that purchasers would have to definitely deposit balance amount by date stipulated in contract for sale show that time was essence of contract.  -  As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. 7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. ..India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy.',
			'caseanalysis' => null,
			'casesref' => 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal;',
			'citingcases' => '',
			'counselplain' => 'C. Krishnan, Central Government Prosecutor',
			'counseldef' => 'S.R. Sundaram, Adv.',
			'court' => 'Chennai',
			'court_type' => 'HC',
			'decidedon' => '1982-10-19',
			'deposition' => '',
			'favorof' => null,
			'findings' => null,
			'judge' => 'Singaravelu, J.',
			'judgement' => '<p style="text-align: justify;">1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - </p><p style="text-align: justify;">'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' </p><p style="text-align: justify;">8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">',
			'observations' => null,
			'overruledby' => null,
			'prhistory' => '',
			'pubs' => '1983(12)ELT770(Mad)',
			'ratiodecidendi' => '',
			'respondent' => 'M. Abdulla and anr.',
			'sub' => 'Customs',
			'link' => null,
			'circuit' => null
		)
	),
	'casename_url' => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla',
	'args' => array(
		(int) 0 => '775539',
		(int) 1 => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
	)
)
$title_for_layout = 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise Customs Division Madurai Vs M Abdulla and anr - Citation 775539 - Court Judgment | '
$desc = array(
	'Judgement' => array(
		'id' => '775539',
		'acts' => '<a href="/act/51922/customs-act-1962-complete-act">Customs Act, 1962</a> - Sections 11, 111, 135 and 135(1)',
		'appealno' => 'Crl. App. No. 615 of 1977',
		'appellant' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai',
		'authreffered' => '',
		'casename' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai Vs. M. Abdulla and anr.',
		'casenote' => ' - Section 16 (1) (c) :[Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Ready and willing to perform-Concurrent findings of fact on consideration of evidence on record that appellants-buyers were not ready and willing to perform terms and conditions of agreement for sale - Buyers failing to pay balance consideration before agitating matter before Supreme Court  Held, Concurrent finding cannot be interfered with. 

Section 20: [Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Whether Time is the essence of contract  Held, Many instance in contract which repeatedly showed that time was to be of essence of contract were specifically mentioned. Clear condition in contract that purchasers would have to definitely deposit balance amount by date stipulated in contract for sale show that time was essence of contract.  -  As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. 7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. ..India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy.',
		'caseanalysis' => null,
		'casesref' => 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal;',
		'citingcases' => '',
		'counselplain' => 'C. Krishnan, Central Government Prosecutor',
		'counseldef' => 'S.R. Sundaram, Adv.',
		'court' => 'Chennai',
		'court_type' => 'HC',
		'decidedon' => '1982-10-19',
		'deposition' => '',
		'favorof' => null,
		'findings' => null,
		'judge' => 'Singaravelu, J.',
		'judgement' => '<p>1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. </p><p>2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. </p><p>3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. </p><p>4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. </p><p>5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. </p><p>6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. </p><p>7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - </p><p>'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' </p><p>8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p></p><p>',
		'observations' => null,
		'overruledby' => null,
		'prhistory' => '',
		'pubs' => '1983(12)ELT770(Mad)',
		'ratiodecidendi' => '',
		'respondent' => 'M. Abdulla and anr.',
		'sub' => 'Customs',
		'link' => null,
		'circuit' => null
	)
)
$casename_url = 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
$args = array(
	(int) 0 => '775539',
	(int) 1 => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
)
$url = 'https://sooperkanoon.com/case/amp/775539/assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
$ctype = ' High Court'
$caseref = 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal<br>'
$content = array(
	(int) 0 => '<p>1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. ',
	(int) 1 => '<p>2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. ',
	(int) 2 => '<p>3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. ',
	(int) 3 => '<p>4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. ',
	(int) 4 => '<p>5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. ',
	(int) 5 => '<p>6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. ',
	(int) 6 => '<p>7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - ',
	(int) 7 => '<p>'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' ',
	(int) 8 => '<p>8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p>',
	(int) 9 => '<p>'
)
$paragraphAfter = (int) 1
$cnt = (int) 10
$i = (int) 7
include - APP/View/Case/amp.ctp, line 144
View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971
View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473
Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963
Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200
Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
[main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 109

'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.'

Notice (8): Undefined variable: query [APP/View/Case/amp.ctp, line 144]Code Context                                         echo $this->Adsense->display('responsive_rect'); 

                                        }

                                        echo html_entity_decode($this->Wand->highlight($content[$i], $query));
$viewFile = '/home/legalcrystal/app/View/Case/amp.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'title_for_layout' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise Customs Division Madurai Vs M Abdulla and anr - Citation 775539 - Court Judgment | ',
	'desc' => array(
		'Judgement' => array(
			'id' => '775539',
			'acts' => '<a href="/act/51922/customs-act-1962-complete-act">Customs Act, 1962</a> - Sections 11, 111, 135 and 135(1)',
			'appealno' => 'Crl. App. No. 615 of 1977',
			'appellant' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai',
			'authreffered' => '',
			'casename' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai Vs. M. Abdulla and anr.',
			'casenote' => ' - Section 16 (1) (c) :[Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Ready and willing to perform-Concurrent findings of fact on consideration of evidence on record that appellants-buyers were not ready and willing to perform terms and conditions of agreement for sale - Buyers failing to pay balance consideration before agitating matter before Supreme Court  Held, Concurrent finding cannot be interfered with. 

Section 20: [Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Whether Time is the essence of contract  Held, Many instance in contract which repeatedly showed that time was to be of essence of contract were specifically mentioned. Clear condition in contract that purchasers would have to definitely deposit balance amount by date stipulated in contract for sale show that time was essence of contract.  -  As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. 7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. ..India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy.',
			'caseanalysis' => null,
			'casesref' => 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal;',
			'citingcases' => '',
			'counselplain' => 'C. Krishnan, Central Government Prosecutor',
			'counseldef' => 'S.R. Sundaram, Adv.',
			'court' => 'Chennai',
			'court_type' => 'HC',
			'decidedon' => '1982-10-19',
			'deposition' => '',
			'favorof' => null,
			'findings' => null,
			'judge' => 'Singaravelu, J.',
			'judgement' => '<p style="text-align: justify;">1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - </p><p style="text-align: justify;">'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' </p><p style="text-align: justify;">8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">',
			'observations' => null,
			'overruledby' => null,
			'prhistory' => '',
			'pubs' => '1983(12)ELT770(Mad)',
			'ratiodecidendi' => '',
			'respondent' => 'M. Abdulla and anr.',
			'sub' => 'Customs',
			'link' => null,
			'circuit' => null
		)
	),
	'casename_url' => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla',
	'args' => array(
		(int) 0 => '775539',
		(int) 1 => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
	)
)
$title_for_layout = 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise Customs Division Madurai Vs M Abdulla and anr - Citation 775539 - Court Judgment | '
$desc = array(
	'Judgement' => array(
		'id' => '775539',
		'acts' => '<a href="/act/51922/customs-act-1962-complete-act">Customs Act, 1962</a> - Sections 11, 111, 135 and 135(1)',
		'appealno' => 'Crl. App. No. 615 of 1977',
		'appellant' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai',
		'authreffered' => '',
		'casename' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai Vs. M. Abdulla and anr.',
		'casenote' => ' - Section 16 (1) (c) :[Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Ready and willing to perform-Concurrent findings of fact on consideration of evidence on record that appellants-buyers were not ready and willing to perform terms and conditions of agreement for sale - Buyers failing to pay balance consideration before agitating matter before Supreme Court  Held, Concurrent finding cannot be interfered with. 

Section 20: [Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Whether Time is the essence of contract  Held, Many instance in contract which repeatedly showed that time was to be of essence of contract were specifically mentioned. Clear condition in contract that purchasers would have to definitely deposit balance amount by date stipulated in contract for sale show that time was essence of contract.  -  As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. 7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. ..India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy.',
		'caseanalysis' => null,
		'casesref' => 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal;',
		'citingcases' => '',
		'counselplain' => 'C. Krishnan, Central Government Prosecutor',
		'counseldef' => 'S.R. Sundaram, Adv.',
		'court' => 'Chennai',
		'court_type' => 'HC',
		'decidedon' => '1982-10-19',
		'deposition' => '',
		'favorof' => null,
		'findings' => null,
		'judge' => 'Singaravelu, J.',
		'judgement' => '<p>1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. </p><p>2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. </p><p>3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. </p><p>4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. </p><p>5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. </p><p>6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. </p><p>7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - </p><p>'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' </p><p>8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p></p><p>',
		'observations' => null,
		'overruledby' => null,
		'prhistory' => '',
		'pubs' => '1983(12)ELT770(Mad)',
		'ratiodecidendi' => '',
		'respondent' => 'M. Abdulla and anr.',
		'sub' => 'Customs',
		'link' => null,
		'circuit' => null
	)
)
$casename_url = 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
$args = array(
	(int) 0 => '775539',
	(int) 1 => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
)
$url = 'https://sooperkanoon.com/case/amp/775539/assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
$ctype = ' High Court'
$caseref = 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal<br>'
$content = array(
	(int) 0 => '<p>1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. ',
	(int) 1 => '<p>2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. ',
	(int) 2 => '<p>3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. ',
	(int) 3 => '<p>4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. ',
	(int) 4 => '<p>5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. ',
	(int) 5 => '<p>6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. ',
	(int) 6 => '<p>7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - ',
	(int) 7 => '<p>'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' ',
	(int) 8 => '<p>8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p>',
	(int) 9 => '<p>'
)
$paragraphAfter = (int) 1
$cnt = (int) 10
$i = (int) 8
include - APP/View/Case/amp.ctp, line 144
View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971
View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473
Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963
Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200
Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
[main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 109

8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained.

Notice (8): Undefined variable: query [APP/View/Case/amp.ctp, line 144]Code Context                                         echo $this->Adsense->display('responsive_rect'); 

                                        }

                                        echo html_entity_decode($this->Wand->highlight($content[$i], $query));
$viewFile = '/home/legalcrystal/app/View/Case/amp.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'title_for_layout' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise Customs Division Madurai Vs M Abdulla and anr - Citation 775539 - Court Judgment | ',
	'desc' => array(
		'Judgement' => array(
			'id' => '775539',
			'acts' => '<a href="/act/51922/customs-act-1962-complete-act">Customs Act, 1962</a> - Sections 11, 111, 135 and 135(1)',
			'appealno' => 'Crl. App. No. 615 of 1977',
			'appellant' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai',
			'authreffered' => '',
			'casename' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai Vs. M. Abdulla and anr.',
			'casenote' => ' - Section 16 (1) (c) :[Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Ready and willing to perform-Concurrent findings of fact on consideration of evidence on record that appellants-buyers were not ready and willing to perform terms and conditions of agreement for sale - Buyers failing to pay balance consideration before agitating matter before Supreme Court  Held, Concurrent finding cannot be interfered with. 

Section 20: [Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Whether Time is the essence of contract  Held, Many instance in contract which repeatedly showed that time was to be of essence of contract were specifically mentioned. Clear condition in contract that purchasers would have to definitely deposit balance amount by date stipulated in contract for sale show that time was essence of contract.  -  As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. 7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. ..India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy.',
			'caseanalysis' => null,
			'casesref' => 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal;',
			'citingcases' => '',
			'counselplain' => 'C. Krishnan, Central Government Prosecutor',
			'counseldef' => 'S.R. Sundaram, Adv.',
			'court' => 'Chennai',
			'court_type' => 'HC',
			'decidedon' => '1982-10-19',
			'deposition' => '',
			'favorof' => null,
			'findings' => null,
			'judge' => 'Singaravelu, J.',
			'judgement' => '<p style="text-align: justify;">1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - </p><p style="text-align: justify;">'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' </p><p style="text-align: justify;">8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;">',
			'observations' => null,
			'overruledby' => null,
			'prhistory' => '',
			'pubs' => '1983(12)ELT770(Mad)',
			'ratiodecidendi' => '',
			'respondent' => 'M. Abdulla and anr.',
			'sub' => 'Customs',
			'link' => null,
			'circuit' => null
		)
	),
	'casename_url' => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla',
	'args' => array(
		(int) 0 => '775539',
		(int) 1 => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
	)
)
$title_for_layout = 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise Customs Division Madurai Vs M Abdulla and anr - Citation 775539 - Court Judgment | '
$desc = array(
	'Judgement' => array(
		'id' => '775539',
		'acts' => '<a href="/act/51922/customs-act-1962-complete-act">Customs Act, 1962</a> - Sections 11, 111, 135 and 135(1)',
		'appealno' => 'Crl. App. No. 615 of 1977',
		'appellant' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai',
		'authreffered' => '',
		'casename' => 'Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai Vs. M. Abdulla and anr.',
		'casenote' => ' - Section 16 (1) (c) :[Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Ready and willing to perform-Concurrent findings of fact on consideration of evidence on record that appellants-buyers were not ready and willing to perform terms and conditions of agreement for sale - Buyers failing to pay balance consideration before agitating matter before Supreme Court  Held, Concurrent finding cannot be interfered with. 

Section 20: [Tarun Chatterjee & Aftab Alam,JJ] Whether Time is the essence of contract  Held, Many instance in contract which repeatedly showed that time was to be of essence of contract were specifically mentioned. Clear condition in contract that purchasers would have to definitely deposit balance amount by date stipulated in contract for sale show that time was essence of contract.  -  As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. 7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. ..India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy.',
		'caseanalysis' => null,
		'casesref' => 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal;',
		'citingcases' => '',
		'counselplain' => 'C. Krishnan, Central Government Prosecutor',
		'counseldef' => 'S.R. Sundaram, Adv.',
		'court' => 'Chennai',
		'court_type' => 'HC',
		'decidedon' => '1982-10-19',
		'deposition' => '',
		'favorof' => null,
		'findings' => null,
		'judge' => 'Singaravelu, J.',
		'judgement' => '<p>1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. </p><p>2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. </p><p>3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. </p><p>4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. </p><p>5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. </p><p>6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. </p><p>7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - </p><p>'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' </p><p>8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p></p><p>',
		'observations' => null,
		'overruledby' => null,
		'prhistory' => '',
		'pubs' => '1983(12)ELT770(Mad)',
		'ratiodecidendi' => '',
		'respondent' => 'M. Abdulla and anr.',
		'sub' => 'Customs',
		'link' => null,
		'circuit' => null
	)
)
$casename_url = 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
$args = array(
	(int) 0 => '775539',
	(int) 1 => 'assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
)
$url = 'https://sooperkanoon.com/case/amp/775539/assistant-collector-central-excise-customs-division-madurai-vs-m-abdulla'
$ctype = ' High Court'
$caseref = 'Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal<br>'
$content = array(
	(int) 0 => '<p>1. This is an appeal by the Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai under Section 377(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for enhancement of sentence, awarded to the respondents in CA No. 381 of 1976 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai. ',
	(int) 1 => '<p>2. A few facts not in controversy may be stated for the disposal of the appeal. The respondents herein along with one Mohammed Hassan (who was originally charge-sheeted as A-1 and whose case was split up since he has absconded) were proceeding in an Ambassador car from Dindigul to Madurai at about 5-45 p.m. on 5-1-1972. Mohammed Hassan (A-1) was driving the car. The Excise officials stopped the car on the road and searched it in the presence of witnesses and they suspected that some contraband was hidden in the vehicle by some mechanical device and therefore, took the car to Madurai for intensive check up. Accordingly, when the car was thoroughly examined in a workshop, a miniature tank (MO 1) was found between the rear seat and the petrol tank of the car and it was a special device attached to the main petrol tank which had been reduced to half of its actual capacity. When the miniature tank was dismantled and examined, there were 12 cloth jackets each containing 100 bars of biscuits of gold with foreign markings (MOs. 2 to 13). They were seized under a mahazar Ex. P2. Neither Mohammed Hassan nor any of the inmates of the car had any permit issued of the Reserve Bank or any other import licence for possessing the aforesaid gold. The total weight of the gold bars was 1,40,000 grams and the then market value of the same was Rs. 29,40,000. The respondents herein were prosecuted in CC No. 295 of 1975 on the file of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai, who found on evidence that the respondents have committed offences under Section 111(d) read with Section 11 of the Customs Act and Section 8(1) and 23-A of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act punishable under Section 135(b)(i) of the Customs Act and under Section 8(1)(i) of the Gold Control Act punishable under Section 85(1)(i) of the same Act and convicted them thereunder and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years under each one of the charges, the sentences to run concurrently. ',
	(int) 2 => '<p>3. The respondents preferred an appeal, CA No. 381 of 1976 and the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Madurai confirmed the convictions but took a lenient view of the matter and as far as the first respondent herein is concerned, he reduced the period of imprisonment to one of rigorous imprisonment already undergone and in addition imposed a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months, and with reference to the second respondent herein, the sentence of imprisonment was reduced to one of 6 months rigorous imprisonment since he was said to be in detention in some other case. The Customs department feel aggrieved with the order of the lower appellate court in reducing the sentence and they have preferred this revision under Section 377(2) Crl.P.C. ',
	(int) 3 => '<p>4. Notice was taken to both the respondents and the first respondent was served in 1977 and he has not made any appearance from 1977 onwards. It would appear that the second respondent has now detained under COFEPOSA Act. The first respondent could not be served in spite of several notices and the endorsement of return was that he has left for Dubai and his whereabouts are not known. Since the appeal is of the year 1977, an amicus curiae was appointed for the first respondent. Learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned amicus curiae for the respondent were heard. ',
	(int) 4 => '<p>5. So far as the convictions of the respondents under Section 135(b)(1) of the Customs Act and Section 85(1)(ii) of the Gold Control Act are concerned, they have become final and they have not preferred any appeal or revision against the convictions. Both the courts below have concurrently found on evidence that the offences have been proved beyond any shadow of doubt by cogent and convincing evidence. This appeal is by the Customs department for enhancement of sentence. According to the department, the sentence imposed by the lower appellate court is very nominal and inadequate. As already pointed out, these two respondents along with Mohammed Hassan (first accused), who absconded himself after release on bail by the trial court, were travelling in a car with a very large quantity of gold of foreign markings which were worth Rs. 30,00,000, even in the year 1972, when it was seized. The evidence shows that the gold bars and biscuits of gold of foreign markings weighed 1,40,000 grams and they were carefully concealed in an improvised miniature tank, specially devised for the purpose. The tank had to be dismantled and the hidden gold was discovered. It is not disputed that the gold were of foreign markings and there was no permission or licence for the same by any of the accused. The contraband that was brought from Kerala was to be sold at Madurai and the car itself was intercepted at Dindigul-Madurai main road. The learned Chief Judicial Magistrate who tried the case has carefully considered every aspect of the case and while convicting them, in the matter of sentence, he has stated such illegal and anti-social acts shattering the economy of the country should be seriously viewed by the courts and therefore, the respondents were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. However, on appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge had interfered with the sentence while upholding the convictions and found that the respondents herein are only carriers or mercenaries employed by the smuggler for transport of the goods and therefore, a serious view need not be taken against them. The learned Sessions Judge further observed that in the case of coolies or hirelings the subject matter of the value of the gold transported need not be taken into consideration 'but only the circumstances under which they have been employed in such transport or the professionals, in this transport' have to be taken into consideration. The learned Sessions Judge found that there is no evidence to prove that the respondents have acted as go-between the purchasers and the smuggler on previous occasions, and consequently, the sentence of imprisonment for three years on the first respondent herein was reduced to the period already undergone and in addition he was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500 under each of the two charges, and in respect of respondent No. 2, herein, the learned Sessions Judge reduced the period of imprisonment to six months rigorous imprisonment. The learned Sessions Judge has not even mentioned the period which is said to have been undergone by the first respondent. ',
	(int) 5 => '<p>6. Learned counsel for the Customs department assaits the above reasoning of the learned Sessions Judge, as totally unjustified. I am inclined to agree with the argument of the learned counsel for the department. As already pointed out, foreign marked gold worth 30 lakhs of rupees as on 1972, were found transported in a car with a special device and the Customs officials did a very good job in detecting the same. As rightly pointed out by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the smuggling of gold is a crime against nation and it shatters the economy of the country and therefore, the respondents must be given the maximum sentence of imprisonment prescribed under the Act. Unfortunately, the lower appellate court has treated such a grave crime against the economy of the country very lightly and let them off with a nominal fine of Rs. 500 regarding the first respondent and a few months (two months) imprisonment for the second respondent. This is nothing but a mockery of justice which will embolden the smugglers and their hirelings to carry on their activities with renewed vigour. The reasons given by the learned Sessions Judge is that the respondents are only coolies or carriers employed by the smuggler for transport of the gold. If this reasoning is accepted then the smugglers can continue to get things done through the coolies or hirelings and get away with nominal punishments. Courts of law should not hesitate to impose proper and adequate punishments in economic offences when once they come to the conclusion that the accused have committed offences charged against them. Such a light punishment as given by the learned Sessions Judge in this case for a very grave crime of this kind is nothing short of travesty of justice which will even weaken the morale of the honest and diligent Customs officials. That the sympathy of the learned Sessions Judge was totally misplaced is amply borne out by the subsequent events, namely, that the first respondent has taken up residence in Dubai while the second respondent has been detained under COFEPOSA Act. Mohammed Hussan (first accused) who was released on bail had jumped bail and his whereabouts are not known now. Therefore, the trial courts while trying offences under the Sea Customs Act and the Gold Control Act will take adequate steps to ensure the presence of the accused when they are released on bail. ',
	(int) 6 => '<p>7. Reverting to the case on hand, as already stated, the reasons assigned by the learned Sessions Judge in reducing the sentence are clearly untenable and unsound and they are contra to the spirit of the judgment of the Supreme Court reported in Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal, : 1974CriLJ280 . In that case, the Supreme Court observed thus - ',
	(int) 7 => '<p>'Social and economic offences stand on a gravers footing in respect of punishment..... India has been facing an economic crisis and gold smuggling has had a disastrous impact on the State's efforts to stabilise the country's economy... The ineffectiveness of prosecution in arresting the wave of white-collar crime must disturb the judges' conscience.. To the extent to which gold smugglers and other anti-social operators in the field of crime can be given an unhappy holiday in jail, the courts must help the process on conviction, if judicial institutions are not to be cynically viewed by the community.' ',
	(int) 8 => '<p>8. For all the above reasons, the appeal is allowed and the sentence awarded to the respondents by the learned Additional Sessions Judge of Madurai in CA 381 of 1976 is enhanced and the respondents herein are each sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment under each of the two charges framed against them the sentences to run concurrently. The sentence of fine of Rs. 500 imposed by the lower appellate court on the first respondent will stand and is maintained. <p>',
	(int) 9 => '<p>'
)
$paragraphAfter = (int) 1
$cnt = (int) 10
$i = (int) 9
include - APP/View/Case/amp.ctp, line 144
View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971
View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473
Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963
Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 200
Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
[main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 109

Subject	Customs
Court	Chennai High Court
Decided On	Oct-19-1982
Case Number	Crl. App. No. 615 of 1977
Judge	Singaravelu, J.
Reported in	1983(12)ELT770(Mad)
Acts	Customs Act, 1962 - Sections 11, 111, 135 and 135(1)
Appellant	Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai
Respondent	M. Abdulla and anr.
Appellant Advocate	C. Krishnan, Central Government Prosecutor
Respondent Advocate	S.R. Sundaram, Adv.
Cases Referred	Balkrishna v. State of West Bengal

Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Customs Division, Madurai Vs. M. Abdulla and anr. - Court Judgment