P.C. Jain, Member (T)

1. Brief facts of the case are as follows:

The appellant imported certain items for its industrial activities and sought clearance against 3 bills of entry as follows:

(i) 210339 dated 20-2-1988 of the value of Rs. 1,62,364/-;

(ii) 210338 dated 20-2-1988 of the CIF value of Rs. 1,62,365/-;

(iii) 208628 dated 12-2-1988 of the CIF value of Rs. 1,62,601/-.

Some of the goods fall under O.G.L. and some other items required specific import licence.

1.2 On a routine check by the Customs authorities, from the licence issuing authority, namely CCI & E's office it was revealed that the endorsement found on the licence No. P/L/3179662/XX/105/2/87-dated 10-11-1987 was forged; it was, therefore, suggested by the DCCI & E that the goods against this licence should not be cleared.

1.3 It was also alleged by the department that the value declared by the appellant for various goods appeared to be on the lower side.

1.4 The appellant in reply to the show cause notice dated 10-5-1988 pleaded that it had bona fidely purchased the said licence available in the market for which no restriction is there. Hence, it could not be alleged on any reasonable basis that the appellant had conniv