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2006 Supreme(All) 1669

[2006(6) ADJ 150]
ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT
BEFORE : K.N. SINHA, J.
INDER SETIA .....Applicant (In Jail)
Versus
CENTRAL EXCISE DEPARTMENT, NOIDA, DISTT.
GAUTAM BUDH NAGAR AND ANOTHER .....Opposite Parties
(Criminal Misc. Bail Application No. 10921 of 2006,
decided on 16th June, 2006)

Advocates:
Counsel :
V.P. Srivastava, Rajesh Kumar Singh and Lav Srivastava for the Applicant; Dr. A.K. Nigam, Addl. S.G. India, Ajay Singh and A.G.A. for the Opposite Parties.

Headnote:Bail—Application for—Offence under Sections 4, 9-A, 9-AA and 9 of Central Excise Act, 1944 and Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471, I.P.C.—Offences are non-cognizable and compoundable, as amended by Finance Act 23 of 2004—Applicant-Director of company is a ‘loan licensee’ involved in manufacturing two products ‘Roop Amruta’ and 'Daant Pari’—Allegation levelled regarding evidence of excise duty—Stock of products was detained—There can be no chance of tampering of evidence or threat to complainant—There is also no chance of discarding—So far liability of payment of tax—Whosoever is liable cannot escape the same—It is a fit case for bail. [Paras 20 and 21]

       

JUDGMENT

Hon’ble K.N. Sinha, J.—Heard Sri V.P. Srivastava, learned Senior Counsel for the applicant and Sri Ajai Singh learned Counsel for the Central Government representing the opposite party No. 1 and learned A.G.A.

2. The brief fact, as stated in the affidavit, is that the applicant is Director in M/s. Surya Herbal Limited situated at Noida. It is further stated that the company manufactures two products namely ‘Roop Amruta’ and ‘Daant Pari’. On information received by the opposite party No. 1 regarding the evasion of the excise duty, the factory premise was searched on 28.3.2006 and stock of the products was detained. No F.I.R. was lodged for the said offence, but the authorities of opposite party No. 1 registered this case on own giving crime No. 2 of 2006 under Section 4/9A/9AA/9 of the Central Excise Act, 1944 (hereinafter referred to as an ‘Act’) and Section 420/467/468/471 Indian Penal Code. The applicant was also arrested and copy of arrest memo was served, which is Annexure 1 to the affidavit. The applicant moved application for bail before the Sessions Judge, Meerut which was rejected on 15.5.2006.

3. The present bail application has been moved on the ground that applicant runs a factory for preparing the ayurvedic medicines. A licence has been issued in favour of T.V.C. Sky Shop Limited for manufacturing of Ayurvedic medicines through Surya Herbal Limited by the Director of Ayurvedic and Unani Services, U.P. Lucknow. Accordingly these herbal medicines were being manufactured for T.V.C. Sky Shop Ltd. As per the licence certain items have been approved by the Ayurvedic and Unani Director to be manufactured by the applicant including the above two. The photo copy of the licence is Annexure 3. The T.V.C. Sky Shop Limited works on television net work and it entered into agreement with applicant’s factory to manufacture the above two medicines for which the applicant concerned has acted as ‘Loan Licensee’ and made available its manufacturing facility for manufacturing the ayurvedic medicines. The photo copy of the agreement is Annexure 4. The wrapper provided to these medicines clearly indicate the same. According to the applicant, the problem arose that as per Central Excise Rules, above two items are covered under Chapter 33 of the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 and assessment of excise duty is to be made on the basis of M.R.P. under Notification No. 13/2002-CE(NT) dated 1.3.2002 issued under Section 4A of the Act. This chapter deals with cosmetic and toilet preparations. The medicines are not covered under chapter 33 and M.R.P. based valuation under Section 4A of the Act is not applicable. The Excise duty on Ayurvedic medicines is payable under Section 4 of the Act and the same are classified under chapter 30 of the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 (hereinafter referred to as Tariff Act’) and not under Chapter 33 of the Tariff Act. Section 4 of the Act deals with the central excise duty as per transaction value and Section 4A of the Act deals with the valuation of excisable goods with reference to M.R.P. It has been further said by stating an example that if the maximum retail price of the product is printed as Rs. 100.00, 40% abatement is permitted for the purposes of fixing central excise duty and it will be valued at Rs. 60/- and the central excise duty shall require to be paid at the rate of 16% plus 2% as Education Cess on excise duty on the value of Rs. 60/-. Thus, according to the applicant, this is the ratio of calculation. Section 9 of the Act deals with the offence and penalty which refers that any evasion done it has got the penal consequences. Section 9A speaks that the offences to be non cognizable. Section 9AA of the Act deals with the offence of the companies. If the notification dated 1.3.2002 is taken into consideration then at serial No. 34 tooth paste is mentioned. In the entire notification nowhere tooth powder is mentioned. Accordingly the excise duty on tooth powder is required to be paid un



























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