TORI IMPEX Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) PETITIONER alleges that petitioner is a registered firm with its office at Srinagar. On orders it was to export ABS Plastic Part of Cellular Phone Group 63 item 8 of DEPB (SIM CARD LOCK) to a firm at Dubai. Petitioner after arranging these from the market shifted goods to the Dubai firm and filed a shipping bill with the respondents Duty Exemption Pass Book (DEPB) Scheme. Petitioner was to get 20% of incentives under scheme on the value of the goods. The goods were handed over to the customs for onwards transmission. The shipment was allowed provisionally. The respondent satisfied themselves with regard to the consignment and allowed petitioner to export the goods. The petitioner is entitled to incentives on the value of the goods so exported under the Scheme. The bills are not being finalised, thereby the petitioner was force to approach Director General Foreign Trade under the incentive under DEPB scheme. On these averments, mandamus is sought, commanding respondents to finalise the shipping bill under the DEPB Scheme carrying 20% incentives and restraining the respondents from inaction and direction for release of the incentives under the DEPB Scheme.

(2.) THE respondents in their reply have averred that the respondents are investigating the matter. The goods namely SIM Card Locks meant for mobile phones in respect of which incentive is claimed fall under scheme called Duty Exemption Pass Book Scheme. (D.E.P.B. Scheme), governed by the Export -Import Policy of Government of India and the Hand book of Export and Import Procedures. The Director General of Foreign Trade is to issue a D.E.P.B. SCRIP after clearance from Custom once the export takes place. The Free on Board value of exports has to be declared by the exporter in shipping Bills filed by him with the Custom authorities. The value of the D.E.P.B. scrip is in fact exemption from duties of customs equal to its value when the holder of the scrip import any goods. There are certain restrictions imposed by the Ministry of Commerce and Finance of Government of India in the matter. The whole purpose is to check defrauding of the Central Government under the guise of exports by unscrupluous elements. Viewed in this back ground, the goods exported are reported to have been valued at Rs. 411/ - per piece and the D.E.P.B. rate applied at 20%. The credit claimed comes to Rs. 82/20 per piece. Though the market price is declared at Rs. 380/ - per piece. In all 12000 pieces have been exported. The respondents with the information placed with them are of the opinion that some of the branded goods of same description were having prices of Rs. 17/ - per piece at the relevant time. These goods were just branded. Even considering this as market value of goods, the entitlement to D.E.P.B. credit would be Rs.

(3.) /40 per piece. Having prima facie come to the above conclusion, the respondents decided to investigate the claim on merits. It has been reported that there is an over valuation with a view to claim illegal and undue incentive benefit. It is even found that the petitioner Company is not existing at its New Delhi address. The declaration of the petitioner is found prima facia not genuine. For the purpose of investigating the matter, number of notices were sent to the petitioner under section 108 of the Customs Act, but the petitioner has failed to appear. On the letter of the proprietor Asif Ahmad of the petitioner -firm, 15th of January 2002 was fixed date for its appearance, but still it failed to appear. In such circumstances, when the matter is under enquiry and investigation and no final decision is taken in the matter, primarily due to non -cooperation and non -appearance of the petitioner, the writ petition is not tenable. 3. The writ jurisdiction of this court in the matter is also questioned. It is stated that the cause of action in the case has arisen beyond territorial jurisdiction of State of Jammu and Kashmir. The matter pertains to export of goods through Air Cargo Complex, Mumbai and the enquiry with regard to incentives claimed by the exporter is also being held at Mumbai. The export clearance of goods and provisional assessment of the Shipping Bill are all matters taken up and dealt with beyond the jurisdiction of Jammu and Kashmir High Court.