NECKO FREIGHT FORWARDERS LTD Vs. COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner has filed the present petition, inter alia, assailing an order dated 18.03.2015 (hereafter "the impugned order") passed by the Commissioner of Customs (hereafter "the respondent") confirming the suspension of the petitioner's Custom House Agents License (hereafter the "License") under Regulation 19(2) of the Customs Brokers Licensing Regulations, 2013 (hereafter "the CBLR").

(2.) The petitioner claims that although its License has been suspended, the respondent has not initiated further proceedings for its revocation. Consequently, such proceedings are now barred. According to the petitioner, in terms of Regulation 20(1) of the CBLR, notice for cancellation/revocation of the License ought to have been issued within ninety days from the date of receipt of an offence report and since no such notice had been issued, the order of suspension could not be permitted to be continued indefinitely.

(3.) Briefly stated, the relevant facts necessary to address the controversy are as under:-