Ajay Kumar Mittal, J. - (1.) In this writ petition filed under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India, the petitioner has impugned stay order dated 17.12.2013 (Annexure P-1) passed in Appeal No. E/58574/2013 by the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal, New Delhi (in short "the Tribunal) directing the petitioner to deposit a sum of INR 40 lacs as pre-deposit in terms of Section 35F of the Central Excise Act, 1944.
(2.) Briefly stated, the facts necessary for adjudication of the instant petition as narrated therein may be noticed. The petitioner is engaged in the manufacture of Alloy and Non-Alloy Steel Ingots, Castings and auto parts etc. The record of the petitioner was audited by the audit branch of the revenue from 22.7.2007 to 24.7.2009 and it was found that the petitioner was availing cental credit on inputs other than waste and scrap of Chapter 7204. The audit branch referred the matter to Preventive Branch of the respondent who searched the premises of the petitioner on 24.12.2009 and resumed its purchase invoices. During the course of investigation, the statements of Directors of the petitioner as well as concerned officials of the seller unit were recorded on various dates. Accordingly, a notice dated 20.4.2012 was issued to the petitioner to show cause as to why cenvat credit amounting to INR 1,44,52,571/- along with interest and penalty be not recovered. The petitioner submitted reply dated 16.11.2012 to the said show cause notice. The adjudicating authority vide order dated 11.4.2013 (Annexure P-2) confirmed the demand and also imposed penalty of an equal amount. Feeling aggrieved, the petitioner filed an appeal along with stay application before the Tribunal. The Tribunal vide order dated 17.12.2013 (Annexure P-1) directed the petitioner to deposit INR 40 lacs as a condition precedent for hearing of the appeal. Hence, the present writ petition.
(3.) Learned counsel for the appellant submitted that the liability has been illegally fastened on the petitioner. It was urged that the requirement of INR 40,00,000/- as a pre-deposit as directed by the Tribunal was unfair and excessive.;