Petitioner is entitled to consideration of reward claim by authority subject to law and within time frame fixed by Court.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 15-04-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ XYZ ..Petitioner(s)

Vs The Additional Director General, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue), 27, GN Chetty Road, T.Nagar, Chennai-600 017.

..Respondent(s)

PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for a writ of mandamus directing the Respondent to grant the reward to the petitioner to the tune of 20 percent on the differential duty amount of Rs. 8,78,67,740/- (Rupees Eight Crores Seventy Eight Lakhs Sixty Seven Thousand Seven Hundred and Forty Only) recovered as per the terms of CBIC Circular No.20/2015 dated 31.07.2015.

For Petitioner(s): Mr.Saran Prasad For Respondent(s): Mr.M.Santhanaraman Senior Standing Counsel

ORDER

The present writ petition is filed praying for a writ of Mandamus directing the Respondent to grant the reward to the petitioner to the tune of 20 percent on the differential duty amount of Rs.8,78,67,740/- (Rupees Eight Crores Seventy Eight Lakhs Sixty Seven Thousand Seven Hundred and Forty Only) recovered as per the terms of CBIC Circular No.20/2015 dated

31.07.2015.

2. XYZ informant/ petitioner name not disclosed in view of the apprehensions expressed by the learned counsel for petitioner. It is submitted by the learned counsel for petitioner that pursuant to the disclosures made by the petitioner, investigation was conducted by the respondent resulting in issuance of show cause notice dated 30.07.2011 culminating in duty demand being raised to the tune of Rs.265,46,81,964/- along with penalty.

3. Petitioner had approached the respondent for grant of interim award in terms of Circular No.13 of 2015 dated 31.07.2015. There was inaction, aggrieved petitioner registered a complaint dated 19.10.2020 bearing Registration No.CBOEC/E/2020/05002 before the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System Portal. Thereafter, petitioner received system reply dated 16.11.2020, rejecting the petitioner's request for interim reward on the premise that the case has not attained finality. It is submitted that thereafter the importer/ taxable person has remitted certain sums under certain settlement scheme. Petitioner had submitted a fresh representation seeking grant of interim reward in terms of the Circular referred supra, however, the same has not been acted upon. It is under such circumstances, the present writ petition is filed.

4. Mr.Santhanaraman, learned Senior Standing Counsel appearing on behalf of the respondents would submit that they would consider and pass appropriate orders within a time period to be fixed by this Court.

5. Petitioner's name is not disclosed in view of certain apprehensions expressed. The writ petition stands disposed of. The respondents shall consider petitioner’s request and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs.