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Commr. of Cen. Exc. Bangalore v. M/s. Solectron Centum Electronics Ltd.

Excise — Unreasoned order passed by High Court — High Court relied upon order passed by Customs Excise and Service Tax Tribunal in Manaksia Ltd. reported in 2007 (216) ELT 231 (Tri-Kolkata)] — However, said decision has been overruled by a larger Bench of the Tribunal in Lakshmi Automatic, 2008 (232) ELT 428 (Tri-LB) — Impugned order of High Court passed in ignorance of said decision, held, is liable to be set aside — Matter remanded — Constitution of India, Art. 132                                                                               (Para 5)

(Anil R. Dave and Shiva Kirti Singh, JJ.)

 

Commr. of Cen. Exc. Bangalore __________ Appellant

 

v.

 

M/s. Solectron Centum Electronics Ltd. _____ Respondent

 

Civil Appeal No. 2844 of 2014, decided on February 25, 2014

[@ Special Leave Petition (C) No(s). 32613 of 2011]

 

The Order of the court was delivered by

Order

 

Leave granted.

 

Heard the learned senior counsel appearing for the appellant and learned counsel appearing for the respondent at some length.

 

Upon perusal of the impugned Judgment delivered by the High Court, we see that the High Court has not recorded any reason, but it has substantially relied upon the order passed by the Customs Excise and Service Tax Tribunal, which had been challenged before it. The Tribunal had decided the case by relying upon the order passed in “Manaksia Ltd. v. Commissioner of Central Excise, Kolkata-IV [2007 (216) E.L.T. 231 (Tri-Kolkata)]” on 09.05.2007.

 

In fact, the said order had been overruled by a larger Bench of the Tribunal in “Lakshmi Automatic Loom Works Ltd. v. Commissioner of Central Excise, Trichy [2008 (232) E.L.T. 428 (Tri-LB)” on 10.10.2008.

 

Unfortunately, the above aspect of the matter had not been brought to the notice of the High Court when the High Court had passed the impugned order.

 

In the above circumstances, we quash and set aside the order passed by the High Court and remand the matter to the High Court with a request to the High Court to decide the matter afresh, preferably within four months from the date of receipt of this order by hearing the concerned advocates afresh, without giving any undue adjournments to either of the parties.

 

We are sure that the learned counsel appearing in High Court shall extend their co-operation for speedy disposal of the matter.

 

With the above observations and directions, the Civil Appeal is disposed of as allowed with no order as to costs.

 

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