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NON-REPORTABLE

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CIVIL APPEAL NO(s). 6651-6653 OF 2015  (ARISING OUT OF S.L.P. (C) Nos. 14424-14426 of 2015)

M/S RAMCHANDRA REXINES (P) LTD AND ORS.                             ... APPELLANT(S)      VERSUS

COMMISSIONER OF CENTRAL EXCISE BANGALORE-1                           ...RESPONDENT(S)

J U D G M E N T

Leave granted. Heard learned counsel for the parties.  We  have  been  shown  a  copy  of  the  Order  dated

4.04.2012 passed in Civil Appeal Nos. 11411-11413 of 2011, the same reads as follows:

“Learned senior counsel appearing for the appellants  seeks  leave  to  withdraw  the appeals  with  liberty  to  file  an  appeal under Section 35-G of the Central Excise Act,  1944,  before  the  High  Court. Accordingly, the appeals are dismissed as not pressed with liberty as prayed. If the appellants  file  the  appeal  within  eight weeks  from  today,  the  same  shall  be considered  by  the  High  Court  on  merits without  reference  to  the  period  of limitation.”

It  has  been  submitted  by  the  learned  counsel

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appearing for the appellants that in pursuance of the aforesaid  order,  the  appellants  had  filed  appeals before the High Court. The High Court has disposed of the  said  appeals  without  going  into  the  merit  by saying that the statutory appeals should have been filed before this Court.  

It  is  pertinent  to  note  that  this  Court  had observed in the aforesaid Order dated 4.04.2012 that the High Court had to decide the case on merits but without going into the merits of the case, the High Court has disposed of the appeals.

In our opinion, it was not proper on the part of the  High  Court  to  dispose  of  the  appeals  without going  into  the  merits  of  the  case.  In  the circumstances, the appeals are allowed, the impugned judgment  is  set  aside  and  the  appeals  shall  be restored at their original numbers and shall be heard by the High Court on merit.  

The matters shall be fixed for hearing before the High  Court  on  16.11.2015.  Order  dated  5.05.2015 passed by this Court granting interim relief to the petitioners herein shall continue till 30.11.2015.

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The  appeals  are  allowed  with  no  order  as  to costs.

...........................J.                 (ANIL R. DAVE)

..........................J.                       (ADARSH KUMAR GOEL)

 NEW DELHI,   AUGUST 28, 2015