A. LIYAKATH ALI Vs. S. SULAIMAN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner has come up with the above writ petition challenging a Notification for extension of time to complete an investigation initiated by the Designated Authority for the imposition of anti dumping duty.

(2.) Heard Mr.R.Parthasarathy, learned counsel for the petitioner, Mr.G. Rajagopalan, learned Additional Solicitor General appearing for the respondents 1 and 2 and Mr.Vijay Narayan, learned Senior Counsel appearing for the fifth respondent.

(3.) The petitioner is engaged in the business of trading clear float glass in India, after importing the same from Saudi Arabia on regular basis through Chennai Port. On a complaint jointly filed by the respondents 3 to 5, who are the domestic manufacturers of the product, the Designated Authority under the Customs Tariff Act, 1975, initiated an anti dumping investigation on 11.4.2013. The period for completion of the investigation in terms of Rule 17(1) of the Customs Tariff (Identification, Assessment and Collection of Anti Dumping Duty on Dumped Articles and for Determination of Injury) Rules, 1995, expired on 10.4.2014. Despite the fact the Designated Authority sought extension of time under the first proviso to Rule 17(1), the Central Government passed an order only on 12.5.2014 granting extension of time upto 10.7.2014. Since the investigation could not be completed even within 10.7.2014, another order of extension was passed on 10.7.2014 granting time upto 10.10.2014.