The Commissioner Of Customs vs. Olam Agri INDIA Private Limited

Held

The Court noted the submission by the learned counsel for the appellants that a new notification, No.31/2024-25, dated 20.09.2024, has been issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. This notification has revised the policy for the export of Non-Basmati White Rice, moving it from a prohibited to a free category. Due to this change in policy, the issues that formed the basis of the present writ appeals have been rendered academic. The Court acknowledged that the issues raised in these appeals would remain open for decision in any future appropriate case if the need arises. Consequently, the writ appeals were disposed of without delving into the merits of the original dispute.

Facts

The appellants, the Commissioner of Customs and others, filed these writ appeals challenging an order or action (not specified in detail) concerning the export of Non-Basmati White Rice. The respondents are Manasa Quality Enterprises Limited and others. The appeals were filed before the High Court of Andhra Pradesh at Amaravati. The core of the dispute revolved around the policy governing the export of Non-Basmati White Rice, which was previously in a prohibited category.

Key Issues

1. Whether the policy governing the export of Non-Basmati White Rice, as it stood at the time of the impugned action, was legally valid and applicable. Appellants' Contention: The appellants stated that a fresh notification, No.31/2024-25, dated 20.09.2024, issued by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Department of Commerce, Directorate General of Foreign Trade, New Delhi, has revised the policy for export of Non-Basmati White Rice from the prohibited category to the free category. Consequently, the issues raised in the present writ appeals have become academic. Respondents' Contention: No specific arguments were recorded for the respondents in the provided text.