(1.) The first petitioner is a customs broker, governed by the provisions of the Customs Broker Licensing Regulations, 2013 (hereafter the 2013 Regulations) framed in exercise of power conferred by sub-section (2) of section 146 of the Customs Act, 1962. The second petitioner is a director of the first petitioner.
(2.) This writ petition dated August 3, 2016 is directed against an order dated May 31, 2016, passed by the Principal Commissioner of Customs (A & A), Custom House, Kolkata, the first respondent, confirming suspension of license of the first petitioner in terms of regulation 19(2) of the 2013 Regulations and a show cause notice dated July 18, 2016 calling upon the first petitioner to explain as to why the license issued to it under regulation 9(1) of Customs House Agents Licensing Regulations, 2004 (hereafter the 2004 Regulations) shall not be revoked and security deposit forfeited under regulation 18 of the 2013 Regulations.
(3.) It is noticed that the order dated May 31, 2016 was preceded by an order dated May 3, 2016 passed by the first respondent, whereby the license issued in favour of the first petitioner was suspended with immediate effect and until further orders under regulation 19(1) of the 2013 Regulations and an opportunity was given to the first petitioner or to its authorized representative to appear for a post-decisional hearing on May 18, 2016. Such order is also under challenge in this writ petition.