Jurisprudentiol – Monday's cases

By Vijay Kumar

Legal Corner Icon — the image was hosted by the publisher and was not captured.Customs

When proposal for confiscation and penalties are consequent to allegation of undervaluation resulting in demand of differential duty under section 28, time limit of five years applies: CESTAT

SECTION 28 prescribes issue of show cause notice within maximum five years from the relevant date. The proposal for confiscation and imposition of penalties are directly linked to demand of differential duty invoking extended period of limitation. Even though Section 124 does not specify a time limit, the same cannot exceed the, maximum time limit of five years prescribed under Section 28 of the Customs Act.

Income Tax

Whether expenditure incurred on reconditioning of machinery lying idle in broken-down condition but produces benefit of enduring nature on repair, is to be treated as revenue expenditure - NO, rules HC

ASSESSEE claimed expenditure incurred as repairs and reconditioning of Machinery treating it as current repairs. The machine was purchased by the assessee in the year 1981 which was broke down on 24.10.1991. AO observed that the expenditure incurred for reconditioning the machine had given the assessee a benefit of enduring nature and therefore, the amount was not allowable as current repairs. The issue before the Bench is - Whether expenditure incurred on reconditioning of machinery, lying idle in a broken-down condition, but produces benefit of enduring nature on repair, is to be treated as revenue expenditure.

Central Excise

Show Cause notice demanding duty issued to legal heir after death of sole Proprietor - There is no provision in Central Excise law or rules framed there under for such an action - Stay granted: CESTAT

IN a case where show-cause notice issued after the death of proprietor of the concern to legal heir of proprietor and proprietary concern not maintainable in absence of such provision in the Central Excise law. In the circumstances the pre-deposit of duty, interest and penalty is waived and recovery thereof stayed during the pendency of the appeal.

See our columns Monday for the judgements