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Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Excise & Customs
(Legal Cell)
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'C' Wing, 5th Floor, HUDCO-VISHALA Building
Bhikaji Cama Place, R.K. Puram,
New Delhi-66: dated the 29th June, 2016
Instruction
To
1. All the Principal Chief Commissioners/ Chief Commissioners of Central Excise,
Customs & Service Tax
2. The DG, DRI/CEI
3. Web-master, CBEC
Madam/Sir,
Subject: Inclusion of Show Cause Notices issued in relation to
sub-section (11) of Section 28 of the Customs Act, 1962 on the competency of
officers of DGDRI, DGCEI and Customs (Prev.), in the "Call Book" reg.
The Hon'ble High Court of Delhi vide the order dated 03.05.2016 in the case
of Mangali Impex Ltd. in WP No. 441/2013 and others held that sub-section (11)
of Section 28 of the Customs Act, 1962 cannot validate SCNs or proceedings
pursuant thereto in relation to non-levy, short-levy or erroneous refund for the
period prior to 8th April 2011, if such SCNs have been issued or proceedings
conducted by officers of the Customs, DGDRI or DGCEI or as in the present case
by the SIIB, who are not 'proper officers' within the meaning of subsection (34)
of Section 2 of the Act.
2. In this regard it may be mentioned that the amendment in Section 28 (11)
of the Customs Act, 1962 was brought out by the Government, after the decision
of Supreme Court in Commissioner of Customs vs Sayed Ali (2011) 3 SCC 537,
wherein it was held that Customs Preventive Officers are not proper officers to
issue Show Cause Notice u/ s 28 of Customs Act, 1962. Vide
Notification
No. 44/2011 dated 06.07.2011, Board assigned the functions of proper Officers to
the officers of DGDRI, DGCEI and Preventive. Further, in the Statement of Facts
and Reasons to the Customs (Amendment and Validation), Bill, 2011, while
introducing sub-section 11 of Section 28 of the customs Act,1962, the then FM
had expressly mentioned that it has purposed to amend the Customs Act, 1962
retrospectively. Thus, the intention of Legislature was clearly spelt out.
Therefore, the officers of DGDRI, DGCEI and Preventive are Proper Officers even
for the Show Cause Notices issued prior to issuance of Notification dated
06.07.2011. Since the order dated 03.05.2016 of High Court of Delhi challenges
the constitutional validity of sub-section (11) of Section 28 of the Customs
Act, 1962, the Board has decided to file an SLP in the case i.e. W.P.No.441/2013
before the Hon'ble Supreme Court.
3. In view of the above, field formations are requested to transfer all the
SCNs issued by DRI, DGCEI, SIIB, Preventive prior to 06.07.2011 and which are
pending adjudication to the Call Book, till disposal of the matter in the
Supreme Court.
4. Difficulties faced, if any, in implementation of this Circular may be
brought to the notice of the Board. Hindi version follows.
Yours faithfully,
(Harsh Vardhan)
Senior Analyst (Legal)
Phone; 011-26195405
F.No.276/104/2016-CX.8A (Pt.)
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