INDIAN OVERSEAS BANK Vs. COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS (APPG.)

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner bank (hereafter 'IOB') has filed the present petition, inter alia, praying as under:-

(2.) By a notice dated 16.05.2014, IOB was called upon to appear before the Deputy Commissioner of Customs (A) with all relevant documents and was further informed that in absence of its appearance an ex-parte decision would be taken for enforcement of the bank guarantees (hereafter 'BGs') furnished by IOB to the Customs Authorities (being LG No 408/IOB/LGI/57/2012 dated 03.04.2012 for Rs. 37,91,852 and LG No 408/IOB/LGI/54/2012 dated 31.03.2012 for Rs. 25,32,940/-).

(3.) IOB is further aggrieved by communication dated 12.05.2014, sent by the Customs Authorities to Reserve Bank of India, inter alia, seeking that proceedings be initiated against IOB for not fulfilling its obligations under the aforementioned BGs. In addition, IOB has also impugned a letter dated 22.04.2014 whereby the Deputy Commissioner Customs (A) had threatened IOB that if IOB failed to renew the BGs all authorities and departments would be informed of IOB's failure to honour its commitments; in effect, IOB would be blacklisted.