Commnr. of Central
Excise, Delhi Vs. M/S. Ishaan Research Lab. (P) Ltd.& Ors. [2008] INSC 1516
(8 September 2008)
Judgment
"REPORTABLE"
IN THE SUPREME COURT
OF INDIA CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CIVIL APPEAL Nos.7357-7372 OF 2001
Commissioner of Central Excise, Delhi .... Appellant Versus Ishaan Research Lab
(P) Ltd. & Ors. .... Respondents WITH
CIVIL APPEAL No.2517 OF 2002 Commissioner of Central Excise, Delhi ....
Appellant Versus Ishaan Research Lab (P) Ltd. .... Respondent
V.S. SIRPURKAR, J
1.
This
judgment will dispose of Civil Appeal Nos.7357-7372 of 2001 as also the Civil
Appeal No.2517 of 2002.
2.
All
these appeals relate to the order passed by Customs Excise and Gold (Control)
Appellate Tribunal, New Delhi whereby the Tribunal held that 22 products
manufactured by M/s.Ishaan Research Lab Private Limited (hereinafter referred
to as "IRLP") are covered under the Central Excise Tariff Sub-heading
3003.30 and not under Chapter 33 of Central 2 Excise Tariff and thus the said
products would invite the duty as "Ayurvedic medicines" at the rate
of 10% advalorem and not at the rate of 40% advalorem as claimed by the Revenue
Department. The Revenue Department's claim was that these products were
cosmetics such as skin beautification creams, lotions, moisturisers, shampoos,
etc., and were as such the "cosmetics" and "toilet
preparations" chargeable to 40% duty.
The Tribunal further
held that IRLP and M/s.Ishaan Marketing Private Limited (hereinafter referred
to as "the IMPL") were not related persons in terms of Section
4(4)(c) of the Central Excise Act and as such the price at which IRLP sold the
products was to be adopted as the basis for determining the assessable value.
Similarly, the IRLP and IRL Marketing Pvt. Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as
"IRL (M)") were also not related persons and as such the price at
which the IRLP sold the goods would form the basis for determining the assessable
value. The Tribunal further held that the extended period of limitation was not
applicable in all the cases. Resultantly, the Tribunal held that the duty
demand on the products which were held to be cosmetics by the Commissioner,
Central Excise was to be re-quantified with the normal period of limitation of
six months, adopting the price of IRLP as the basis of the computation of the
assessable value. The Tribunal, however, left open the question of penalty on
IRLP to be decided by the Commissioner, Central Excise. The Tribunal further
set aside the penalities imposed upon IMPL, IRL (M) and Smt.Vinita Jain under
Rule 209A of Central Excise Rules in view of the finding that the IRLP, IRMP
and IRL(M) are not the related persons as also the finding that 3 the extended
period of limitation was not applicable. Lastly the Tribunal set aside the
confiscation of land and machinery.
3.
The
proceedings in these cases were initiated by Show Cause Notice dated 10.4.1996
covering the period of 1st April, 1991 to 16th January, 1996, demanding a total
duty of Rs.3,10,17,993/- and imposed a penalty of Rs.1 crore on IRLP, Rs.25
lakhs on IMPL and Rs.35 lakhs on one Ms.Vineeta Jain. The second notice was
given on 30.9.1996 covering a period of 17.1.1996 to 31.3.1996 demanding a duty
of Rs.60,16,359/-.
4.
The
Third Notice was dated 31.12.1996 whereby the duty of Rs.1,15,68,744/- was
demanded and a consolidated penalty under Second and Third Show Cause Notices
was imposed to the tune of Rs.40 lakhs on IRLP, Rs.25 lakhs on IMPL and Rs.40 lakhs
on Ms.Vineeta Jain. Fourth Show Cause Notice was dated 2.5.1997 covering a
period of 1.10.1996 to 31.3.1997 whereby the duty demanded was Rs.92,82,309/-
whereas the penalty imposed was Rs.20 lakhs on IRLP, Rs.15 lakhs on IMPL, Rs.15
lakhs on IRL(M) and Rs.20 Lakhs on Ms.Vineeta Jain. The last Show Cause Notice
was dated 28.10.1997 covering the period from 1.4.1997 to 30.6.1997 wherein the
duty demanded was Rs.68,26,881/- and the penalty imposed was Rs.10 lakhs on
IRPL, Rs.5 lakhs on IRL(M) and Rs.2 lakhs on Ms.Vineeta Jain.
5.
Commissioner,
Central Excise, New Delhi, in respect of the first Show Cause Notice, confirmed
the demand of duty amounting to Rs.3,06,68,074.78 as Basic Excise Duty and
Rs.34,39,918.89 as Special 4 Excise Duty under Rule 9(2) of Central Excise
Act, 1944 read with proviso to Sub-section (1) of Section 11A of Central Excise
Act on IRLP. He also directed the confiscation of land, building, plant and
machinery used by M/s.IRLP with an option to redeem the same on payment of
Rs.25 lakhs. A further penalty of Rs.1 crore was imposed on IRLP under Rule
173Q of Central Excise Rules. A penalty of Rs.25 lakhs was imposed on IMLP
under Rule 209A of Central Excise Rules. Lastly a penalty of Rs.35 lakhs was
imposed on Ms.Vineeta Jain. Thus, the Commissioner held that the classification
would be under Chapter 33. He also held that IRLP and IMPL were related persons
and further that the Revenue was entitled to the extended period of limitation.
6.
On
the appeals filed before the Tribunal, the Tribunal allowed the claim of the
IRLP in respect of as many as 22 products out of the total 92 products in
respect of which the Show Cause Notices were given, they were at
Sl.Nos.3,8,9,10,17,20,21,23,25,27,28,29,34,35,36,38,39,42,45 and 46, The
remaining 70 products were held to be the "cosmetic" and "toilet
preparations" falling under Chapter 33 of the Scheduled under Central
Excise Act. The Tribunal further held that IRLP and IMPL were not the related
persons and further the extended period of limitation could not be made
available to Revenue in all the cases.
7.
In
the present appeals we are concerned only with those 22 products which have
been held by the Tribunal as falling under Sub-heading 5 3003.30. The appeals
are basically filed by the Revenue challenging the above findings regarding the
22 products.
8.
Shri
K. Radhakrishnan, learned Senior Advocate, appearing on behalf of the Revenue
initially very strenuously urged before us that the Tribunal was in error in
holding the 22 products as Ayurvedic medicines and those falling under Entry
3003.30. According to him all these products were bound to be held as
"cosmetics" and "toilet preparations" and were as such
covered by Chapter 33 inviting the duty at the rate of 40%. Apart from the
contentions raised in respect of classification of these items, the learned
counsel also addressed us on the question of valuation. The learned counsel
also invited our attention towards the aspect of limitation and urged that the
Tribunal was not right in holding that some show cause notices were barred by
limitation and that the Revenue would not be entitled to the extended period of
limitation under Section 11A of the Central Excise Act.
9.
We
have, therefore, to decide on the three aspects, they being the Classification,
Valuation and the Limitation.
10.
We
shall first take up the aspect of classification.
11.
To
begin with, we are concerned with the following 22 items:
i) Bio-Apple ii) Bio
Aloevera iii) Bio Bhringraj 6 iv) Bio-cucumber v) Bio-coconut vi) Bio-costus
vii) Bio-fruit viii) Bio-henna ix) Bio-Henna leaf x) Bio-kelp xi) Bio-milk xii)
Bio-mud xiii) Bio-myristica xiv) Bio-margosa xv) Bio-peach xvi) Bio-pro xvii)
Bio-quince xviii) Bio-saffron xix) Bio-soya xx) Bio-wheat xxi) Bio-wintergreen
xxii) Bio-walnut During the debate Shri V. Lakshmikumaran, learned counsel for
the Assessee fairly conceded that the products "Bio-Heena" and
"Bio Heena Leaf" may not be called as Ayurvedic medicines and hence
gave up his claim of the classification of these products under Chapter 30 and
more 7 precisely under Entry 3003.30. We are, therefore, not considering these
products.
12.
Again
the learned Senior Counsel for the Revenue Shri Radhakrishnan very fairly
conceded at the beginning of the debate itself that the following products
would not be "cosmetics", they being:
i) Bio-apple ii)
Bio-fruit iii) Bio-mud iv) Bio-myristica and as such would not fall under
Chapter 33 and instead would be covered under Chapter 30, Entry 3003.30
inviting 10% duty and not 40%. We, therefore, leave these four more products
out of consideration, barring 16 products, which we have to consider, they
being:
i) Bio Aloevera ii)
Bio Bhringraj iii) Bio-cucumber iv) Bio-coconut v) Bio-costus vi) Bio-kelp vii)
Bio-milk viii) Bio-margosa ix) Bio-peach 8 x) Bio-pro xi) Bio-quince xii)
Bio-saffron xiii) Bio-soya xiv) Bio-wheat xv) Bio-wintergreen xvi) Bio-walnut
13.
Shri
Radhakrishnan, learned Senior Counsel, appearing on behalf of the Revenue took
us through the various entries of Chapter 33 and more particularly Entries 3304
and 3305 which are as under:
"3304 - Wadding,
gauze, bandages and similar articles (for example, dressing, adhesive,
plasters, poultices), impregnated or coated with pharmaceutical substances or
put up in forms or packings for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary
purpose.
3305 - Pharmaceutical
goods, not elsewhere specified."
Learned counsel
contended that the said products contain certain other ingredients also which
cannot be said to be "Ayurvedic medicines". In support of his claim
he invited our attention to the Show Cause Notice dated 10.4.1996 and more
particularly para 6(i) referring to the statement of one S.V. Rasalkar,
Technical Director, M/s.IRLP who had furnished the list of about 29 ingredients
used in the said 16 products. Our attention was also invited to para 6(vi) of
the Show Cause Notice where the statement of 9 Mr.Yakub Usman Kapadia is also
referred. He also relied on the statement of one S.K. Handa, Manager (Account).
Learned counsel also heavily relied on other paras of the Show Cause Notice
like para 10 to suggest that these products were generally being sold to the
Hotels like Park Hotel, Hotel Taj Mansingh, Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi, etc.
Further a reference was also made by the learned counsel and more particularly
para 12 which refers to the literature published by M/s.IRLP on the Skin Care
Naturals wherein it is suggested that the use of Biotique Products would make
the skin beautiful and would help the user retain the bloom of youth. From this
the main argument was that all these products were only helpful as the
cosmetics or toiletries and they were also understood to be the same.
Learned counsel took
us painstakingly to Show Cause Notice to suggest that even IRLP was treating
all these products as the products for enhancement of beauty and not as
medicines much less Ayurvedic medicines. It was also contended that the user of
non-Ayurvedic products in these products would essentially take these products
out of the caption of "Ayurvedic Medicines". Learned counsel very
heavily relied on a decision of this Court in Shri Baidyanath Ayurved Bhavan
Ltd. V. Collector of Central Excise, Nagpur, etc. [(1996) 9 SCC 402). In short,
the main contention of the learned counsel is that we must apply common
parlance test for all these products which was accepted by this Court in that
decision. According to the learned counsel the Tribunal should have followed
the law laid down to the effect that since all these products were 10 understood
to be the "cosmetics" in common parlance and not actually the
"Ayurvedic medicines" for various reasons, the said products should
have been held to be covered under Chapter 33. Learned Counsel, during his
address, also referred to the leading decision of this Court in BPL
Pharmaceuticals Ltd. V. Collector of Central Excise, Vadodara [1995 (77) ELT
485 (SC)].
14.
As
against this, the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the Assessee Shri
Lakshmikumaran heavily relied on the decision of BPL Pharmaceutical's case
(supra). He urged that there is a line of decisions following BPL
Pharmaceutical's case and pointed out that the decision in Shri Baidyanath
Ayurved Bhavan's case and BPL Pharmaceutical's case were dealt with in another
decision in Commissioner of Central Excise, Nagpur v. Vicco Laboratories [2005
(179) ELT 17 (SC)]. He also invited our attention to the decision in Megthdoot
Gramodyog Sewa Sansthan v. Commissioner of Central Excise, Lucknow [2004 (174)
ELT 14 (SC)] following the decision in Commissioner of Central Excise,
Allahabad v. Himtaj Ayurvedi Udyog Kendra [2003 (154) ELT 323 (SC)]. Our
attention was also invited to some other decisions to which we would make
reference hereinafter.
15.
Shri
Lakshmikumaran, during his address, took us through the Notes as also the
definitions, more particularly covered under Section 3(a) and 3 (h) of Drugs
and Cosmetics Act defining drug and patent of proprietary 11 medicines.
Relying on these provisions and further relying on the provisions of Chapter 30
Note No.2, the learned counsel further pointed out that this controversy as to
when a particular product should be covered under the "cosmetics" and
as to when it should be held as "medicament"
has been set at rest
in BPL Pharmaceutical's case where the Court has crystallized the guiding
principles. He pointed out that each of the product was having Ayurvedic
medicinal herbs in it and even the labels on these products claim specifically
the medicinal properties of the product. This is apart from the fact that on labels
the product was specifically "NOT"
described as
"cosmetic product". He further pointed out that the reliance on the
decision of Shri Baidyanath Ayurved Bhavan's case by the Revenue was also
uncalled for as the relevant Entry at the relevant time in that case was:
"All drugs,
medicines, pharmaceuticals and drug intermediaries not elsewhere
specified".
He further pointed
out that there was no definition of "medicaments" under Tariff Item
68 as it stood then unlike the definition contained in Note 2 to Chapter 30
which is applicable to the present case. He further contended that in Shri
Baidyanath Ayurved Bhavan's case Tribunal has held that in common parlance the
product in question could not be described as "medicinal preparation"
and could only be described as "toilet preparation"
on account of the
fact that one of the ingredients Geru (red earth) was 12 largely used as a
filler or colouring agent and was not described as a medicine in common
parlance.
16.
Further
contention raised by Shri Lakshmikumaran is that all the products in question
have been manufactured under the Drugs Licence under the Drugs and Cosmetics
Act and, therefore, the learned counsel says that grant of Drugs licence for
the manufacture of these products would answer that test in favour of the
assessee. Learned counsel also invited our attention to the decision of this
Court in Commissioner of Central Excise, Calcutta v. Sharma Chemical Works
[2003 (154) ELT 328 (SC)] as also the Puma Ayurvedic Herbal (P) Ltd v.
Commissioner, Central Excise, Nagpur [(2006) 3 SCC 266] to which decision one
of us (Ashok Bhan, J.) was a party. Learned counsel, therefore, urges that even
if the user of product leads to improvement in appearance of a person, that by
itself cannot bring it into the category of "cosmetics" if otherwise
the product is having a medicinal value and is claimed and marketed as such.
17.
The
learned counsel also invited our attention to the decision of the Tribunal
delivered in CCE, Pune v. Ramakrishna Vidyut Ltd. (Final Order No.847/99-C
dated 16.8.1999 of Tribunal) which was affirmed by this Court in Civil Appeal
No.2353 of 2000 (judgment delivered on 15.3.2005) holding that Mahabringaraj
Hair Oil is classifiable under Tariff Item 3003 and not as a
"cosmetic".
18.
Going
back to the List of Items in para 11, Item No.(ii) Bio Bhringraj would stand
covered by that decision. On this backdrop we are thus left with 15 items. Shri
Radhkrishnan also did not dispute this position regarding item No.(ii) Bio
Bhringraj.
19.
In
BPL Pharmaceutical's case a clear cut distinction was made in the
"cosmetics" and the "drugs". Observations made in para 31
are:
"The contention
based on Chapter notes is also not correct.
One of the reasons
given by the Authorities below for holding that Selsun would fall under Chapter
33 was that having regard to the composition the product will come within the
purview of note 2 to Chapter 33 of the Schedule to Central Excise Tariff Act,
1985 is without substance. According to the Authorities the product contains
only subsidiary pharmaceutical value and, therefore, notwithstanding the
product having a medicinal value will fall under Chapter 33. We have already
set out Note 2 to Chapter 33. In order to attract Note 2 to Chapter 33 the
product must first be a cosmetic, that the product should be suitable for use
as goods of Headings 33.03 to 33.08 and they must be put in packing as labels,
literature and other indications showing that they are for use as cosmetic or
toilet preparations. Therefore, Note 2 to Chapter 33 is not attracted."
(EMPHASIS SUPPLIED)
20.
This
Court in BPL Pharmaceutical's case (supra) was considering the question as to
whether a product called Selsun Shampoo was a "cosmetic" and/or
"toilet preparation" or a "medicament". The Court noted the
main objections by Revenue as under:
"(a) That the
other manufacturers of similar type of product were holding the licence for
cosmetics and bore the tag of cosmetics on the respective bottles.
14 (b) That the
medicinal properties, i.e. Selenium Sulfide which was claimed to prevent
Dandruff was only 2.5% and was only a minor constituent against the total
composition of the product while the percentage of the remainder were of
forming agent, flavouring agent, thickening agent and buffer etc.
(c) That in fact
Selsun Suspension was an Anti Dandruff Shampoo.
(d) That its usage
was also comparable to the other shampoos available in the market.
(e) That in common
parlance the said product was known as Selsun Shampoo and was sold as such.
(f) That the product
was not sold by the owner of the medical shop on presentation of Doctor's
prescription.
(g) That the words
"Dandruff Treatment Shampoo" were deleted which were there in the old
bottles only with an intention to evade Central Excise duty and were
substituted by the words "Selenium Sulfide Lotion USP Selsun the medical
treatment for Dandruff".
21.
This
Court noted firstly the definitions in Chapter 30 and the language of Entry
3003 as also the relevant provisions in Chapter 33 and more particularly the
HSN Notes under the heading "Essential Oils and Resin Oils: perfumuery,
cosmetic or toilet preparation". It also took into account the Entries at
33.05, 3305.90, 33.06, 3306.00 and 33.08. In para 17 it noted the previous
Tariff Items as they stood prior to 1.3.1986 i.e., 314E and 14F - 14E being
"Patent or Proprietary Medicines" and 14-F being "Cosmetics and
Toilet Preparations". The Court also noted the label, literature and
medicinal properties concerning the product in question and noted that the
label gave out specifically that:
15 "Firstly, it
was a poison;
Secondly, there was a
cautionary note that it should be used for external use and should be kept out
of the eyes and away from children and also that it should be used immediately
after bleaching, tinting or permanent waving of hair or on inflamed scalp;
Thirdly, it should be
used twice weekly initially and then as often as necessary;
Fourthly, that it was
a medical treatment for dandruff;
Fifthly, it contains
Selenium Sulphide USP 2.5% w/v;
Sixthly, the hairs
should be washed first and then the Selsun should be massaged into the scalp.
The Court also
perused the literature which suggested that it was for the use of registered
Medical Practitioner or a Hospital or Laboratory and that it further indicated
that the product controls Dandruff and has beneficial effect on the scalp as it
is helpful in controlling acne, otitis externa and Bleph-aritis. The Court also
relied on the affidavits filed by the appellants.
The Court found that
the product was classified by the Excise Authorities as a patent and proprietary
medicine accepting the decision of the Central Board of Excise and Customs
rendered on 17.1.1981 and it was only because of the new Central Excise Tariff
Act, 1985 that the entry was sought to be changed.
22.
In
para 26 of the above judgment there is a specific reference to the argument by
the learned counsel for the Revenue that the relevant chapter applicable would
be Chapter 33 and not Chapter 30. The Court went on to 16 distinguish between
the terms "cosmetic" and "drug". It noted the definition of
cosmetics and drugs which is as under:
"A `cosmetic'
means any article intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled or sprayed on, or
introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body or any part thereof for
cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance,
and includes any article intended for use as a component of cosmetic."
AND "A `drug'
includes all medicines for internal or external use of human beings or animals
and all substances intended to be used for or in the diagnosis, treatments,
mitigation or prevention of any disease or disorder in human being or animals,
including preparations applied on human body for the purpose of repelling
insects".
It then recorded a
finding that the product in question was not intended for cleansing,
beautifying, promoting attractiveness or altering appearance and held that it
was intended to cure certain diseases as mentioned. The court came to the
further conclusion that merely because the product was described as
"Selsun Shampoo" it would not conclude the controversy.
23.
In
para 31 the contention raised on the basis of the Chapter Notes was considered
wherein the court gave an unequivocal finding that in order to attract Note 2
to Chapter 33, the product must first be a cosmetic product and that it should
be used as such and it should also be put in such packing as declaring it to be
a cosmetic product. We have already quoted the part of the finding in para 31
in para 19 of this judgment. The 17 emphasized portion is more than telling. In
that very para the court also rejected the claim that merely because there was
a very small percentage of medicament and the rest of the contents were not
having medicinal value would also be of no use. The court again relied on the
earlier decision by the Central Excise Authorities in accepting the decision of
the Central Excise Board and Excise and Customs wherein the product was treated
as patent and proprietary medicines. The Court relied on as many as 13 reasons,
some of these reasons are extremely relevant for our case also, e.g.: Firstly,
the court held that the product was useful for a treatment of a disease;
Secondly, it held
that it was manufactured under a drug licence;
Thirdly, it held that
the Foods and Drugs Administration had certified it as a drug;
Fourthly, that the
Drug Controller had opined that Selenium Sulphide present in Selsun was in a
therapeutic concentration;
Fifthly, that it was
included as a drug in the National formulary, US Pharmacoepia and the Merck
Index;
Sixthly, that it
fulfils the requirement of a drug as understood in the common parlance;
Seventhly, that it
was certified in standard books and treaties;
Eighthly, it was
marketed as a patent; and Ninthly, that its literature referred to it as drug
and the literature was addressed to the physician.
18 The Court on this
basis went on to hold the product as medicinal product and further held that it
would fall under Tariff Item 3003.19. A very heavy reliance was placed and
since this happens to be a leading judgment which was followed throughout for
more than 10 years, we are specifically referring to the details of the
judgment.
24.
We
need not dilate on the judgment further in view of our observations and our
detailed references made but we must reiterate that the judgment does consider
the relevant Entries of Chapter 30 including the Entry under the heading 3003
as also 3003.19. It also refers to the HSN Notes in detail and also notes the
pre-amendment position, i.e., before 1.3.1986 when the relevant entries came on
the anvil. The judgment is also very relevant to note that the labels on the
bottles are extremely relevant in coming to the conclusion as to whether the
product is cosmetic or a drug. It further reiterates that merely because there
is very small percentage of ingredients having therapeutic or prophylactic
value and merely because the product can be used otherwise for beautification,
it does not ipso facto become a cosmetic preparation.
25.
Shri
Radhakrishnan, however, wanted to use this judgment in the light of the earlier
referred judgment in Shri Baidyanath Ayurved Bhavan's case (supra). His
argument was that the common parlance test was accepted as one of the relevant
tests in this judgment though the product was manufactured as a drug under the
drug licence. It is true that the common parlance test has been referred to in
this judgment, however, 19 it is in entirely different context and again the
judgment does not entirely depend upon the common parlance test as in Shri
Baidyanath Ayurved Bhavan's case (supra). The judgment instead notes and holds
that even if the product is known as Shampoo and could be used as shampoo that
by itself will not be a deciding factor. We would have a further opportunity to
compare this judgment and refer to its findings as the judgment has been
referred to and followed right till today in number of decisions.
26.
On
the heels of this judgment came the further judgment of this Court in
Commissioner of Central Excise, Calcutta v. Sharma Chemical Works [2003 (154)
ELT 328 (SC)]. In that judgment the product called Banphool Oil was in
question. CEGAT had held it to be classified under Tariff Item 3003.30, i.e.,
Ayurvedic Medicament. This was challenged by the Revenue. It is to be noted
that after the judgment in BPL Pharmaceutical's case (supra) which did not
relate to Ayurvedic product, this was by far the first judgment in respect of
the product claimed as Ayurvedic Medicament. This Court went into the questions
in detail. It was argued that 98% of Bhanpool Oil consists of "til oil"
and remaining 2% are Ayurvedic ingredients like amla, chandan camphor, etc.,
and also that it was being sold across the counter and was not stored just by
chemists but even by ordinary grocers. In short, it was submitted that in
common parlance it was not called as perfumed hair oil. The court also referred
to the law laid down in Shri Baidyanath Ayurved Bhavan's case (supra) and
Alpine Industries v. Collector of Central Excise, New Delhi [(2003) 20 3 SCC
111] and took stock of the arguments that the common parlance test as laid down
in these two cases was the only relevant test. On the other hand it was pointed
out by the assessee that Chapter 30 dealt with all types of medicines and not
only Ayurvedic medicines. It was further urged that the medicaments could be as
per the formula set out in various pharmacopoeias or they could be under some
patented formula of a particular party and further the product having medicinal
properties in very small percentage did not matter. If the percentage of such
ingredients having medicinal properties was more, it could be harmful to the
human body. It was also argued directly on the lines of the BPL
Pharmaceutical's case (supra) that merely because there were fillers/vehicles
in order to make that medicament palatable and/or usable did not take it out of
the entry of medicament. Example was given of Vicks Vaporub which contained 98%
Paratin Wax and only 2% of methol. It was also pointed out that every
ingredient in Banphool Oil was contained in various pharmacopoeias and text
books which deal with Ayurvedic medicines and further pointed out that even in
"Bhavaprakash", "til oil" was mentioned as Ayurvedic
ingredient. It was also pointed out that there was a Board Circular dated
5.12.1991 providing that in case of any doubt, the matter should be referred to
the State Drug Licensing Authority concerned with Ayurveda and that if a
further reference is necessary then it should be sent to Advisor, Ayurveda/Sub
Commissioner in the office of the Drug Controller of India. It was also pointed
out that accordingly Banphool oil 21 was sent for the opinion of the Drug
Controller and that the Drug Controller by his letter dated 13.5.1985 opined
that Banphool Oil was an "Ayurvedic preparation". The Court also
approved of the further arguments that the onus of establishing that the
product falls within a particular item is always on the Revenue and if the
Revenue did not lead evidence then the onus is not discharged. The argument
raised in BPL Pharmaceutical's case (supra) about the label claiming that it
was a medicament was also pressed in service. The Court also took note of
Chapter Notes 2 and 6 of Chapter 33. The Court thereafter extensively quoted
from the BPL Pharmaceutical's case (supra) which was heavily relied upon in the
present case. Even the decision in Amrutanjan Ltd. v. Collector of Central
Excise [(1996) 9 SCC 413] was also referred to. It is to be remembered that in
that decision this Court had come to the conclusion that merely because a
product contained the ingredients not known to Ayurveda would not by itself
make it a non-Ayurvedic product. The following observation in para 12 are
extremely relevant in the present controversy:
"Generally the
percentage or dosage of the medicament will be such as can be absorbed by the
human body. The medicament would necessary be covered by fillers/vehicles in
order to make the product usable. It could not be denied that all the
ingredients used in Banphool Oil are those which are set out in the Ayurveda
text books. Of course the formula may not be as per the text book but a
medicament can also be under a patented or proprietary formula. The main
criteria for determining classification is normally the use it is put to by the
customers who use it. The burden of proving that Banphool oil is understood by
the customers as an hair oil was on the 22 revenue. This burden is not
discharged as no such proof is adduced. On the contrary we find that the oil
can be used for treatment of headache, eye problem, night blindness, reeling,
head weak memory, hysteria, ammenesia, blood pressure, insomnia etc. The
dosages required are also set out on the label. The product is registered with
Drug Controller and is being manufactured under a drug licence." (EMPHASIS
SUPPLIED)
27.
Following
the above judgment this Court held in favour of the assessee in Calcutta
Chemicals Co. Ltd. v. Commissioner of Central Excise, Chennai reported in 2003
(154) ELT 326 (SC) in respect of Maha Bringaraj Oil to which we have already
made a reference and also in the decision in Commissioner of Central Excise,
Calcutta-IV v. Pandit D.P. Sharma reported in 2003 (154) ELT 324 (SC) in case
of Himtaj Oil. Thus in the aforementioned judgment this Court followed the law
laid down in BPL Pharmaceutical's case (supra) even after noting the judgment
in Shri Baidyanath Ayurved Bhavan's case (supra). We, therefore, cannot and
would not accept the argument by Shri Radhakrishnan that we must ignore all
these judgments in preference to Shri Baidyanath Ayurved Bhavan's case (supra).
These judgments were then followed in Meghdoot Gramodyog Sewa Sansthan v.
Commissioner of Central Excise, Lucknow [2004 (174) ELT 14 (SC)]. Again the
product in question was Ayurvedic hair oils like Bhringraj Tail, Trifla Brahmi
tail and Neem herbal sat. The aforementioned judgments by Variava, J as also
the judgment in BPL Pharmaceutical's case (supra) were approved. This 23 was
an appeal by the assessee against the Tribunal's judgment holding that these
products were the "cosmetic products" and were, therefore, covered by
Chapter 33 where the Tribunal had held that the appellant- assessee had not
produced any evidence to show except for certain letters from the doctors that
the products were prescribed by the medical practitioners as medicines;
secondly there was nothing to show that the patients were kept under
observation and/or the results said to have been achieved by the use of the
products were obtained by keeping the patients in hospitals over a period of
time and thirdly the packing of the products would indicate that the products
were cosmetic and not medicines or drugs. All these three arguments were
rejected by this Court and the law laid down in the aforementioned judgments by
Variava, J. was followed.
28.
On
the heels of judgment in Meghdoot Gramodyog Sewa Sansthan' case (supra) came
the judgment in Commissioner of Central Excise, Nagpur v. Vicco Laboratories
[2005 (179) ELT 17 (SC)]. This was the closest decision given by the Three
Judge Bench of this Court.
Same question came
for consideration. The products which fell for consideration were the turmeric
skin cream and vajradanti toothpaste and tooth powder. The products in this
case were initially classified as patent or proprietary medicines not
containing alcohol, opium, Indian hemp or other narcotic drugs or other
narcotics other than those medicines under heading 14-E of the First Schedule
of the 1944 Act. Again the basis of show cause notice was the decision in Shri
Baidyanath Ayurved 24 Bhavan's case (supra). The test applied by the Revenue
was: firstly, whether the products were being used daily and were sold without
prescription by a medical practitioner and secondly, whether the products were
available in General Store Department/Grocery Shops. In para 4, the Court came
to the conclusion that a mere decision of a court of law without more cannot be
justification enough for changing the classification without a change in the
nature of a product or a change in the use of the product, or a fresh
interpretation of the tariff heading by such decision. The said decision was
distinguished on the ground that the aforementioned tests were not applicable
there. In para 5 it is pointed out by the court in the following words:
"The court did
not itself affirmatively hold that what was laid down by the Tribunal as a test
to be `ordinarily' followed was invariably to be the sole test for determining
whether a product is to be proved as a medicine or as a cosmetic."
The Court then went
on to approve the law laid down in BPL Pharmaceutical's case (supra) and other
cases, namely, Sharma Chemical Works (supra) and Meghdoot Gramodyog Sewa
Sansthan' case (supra) and ultimately held in favour of the assessee and
against the Revenue.
29.
Lastly
the same question came to be considered in details in Puma Ayurvedic Herbal (P)
Ltd. v. Commissioner Central Excise, Nagpur 25 [(2006) 3 SCC 266] though on
the question of valuation. One of us (Ashok Bhan, J) was a party to this
decision. The products which fell for consideration were namely, Puma neem
facial pack (Neemal), Puma Anti- pimple herbal powder (Pimplex), Puma herbal
facial pack (Herbaucare), Puma herbal remedy for facial blemishes, Puma hair
tonic powder (Sukeshi), Puma anti-dandruff oil (Dandika), Puma Shishu Rakshan
tel, Puma neel tulsi, etc. After referring to the decisions referred to above
and other decisions like CCE v. Richardson Hindustan Ltd. [(2004) 9 SCC 156;
CCE v. Pandit D.P. Sharma[(2003) 5 SCC 288; Naturalle Health Products (P) Ltd.
v. CCE [(2004) 9 SCC 136], Amrutanjan Ltd. v. CCE [(1996) 9 SCC 413], BPL
Pharmaceuticals Ltd. v. CCE [1995 Supp (3) SCC 1], Muller & Phipps (India)
Ltd v. CCE [(2004) 4 SCC 787]; Dabur India Ltd. v. CCE [(2004) 4 SCC 9], Manish
Pharma Plasto (P) Ltd. v. Union of India [(1999) 112 ELT 22 (Del)], the court
came to the conclusion that the word "medicament" was not defined
anywhere while the word "cosmetic" is defined in the Drugs and
Cosmetics Act, 1940. The court specifically held that the extent of the
quantity of medicament used in a particular product and the fact that the use
of the medicinal element in the product was minimal does not detract from it
being classified as a medicament. It also held in para 22 that it was not
necessary that the item must be sold under a doctor's prescription. Similarly,
availability of the product across the counter in shops is not relevant as it
makes no difference either way. As regards the Chapter Notes, the court found
that 26 the use of the word "subsidiary" in the said note, i.e.,
Note No.2 of Chapter 22 was overlooked by the Revenue. It was also held that
Revenue had failed to make any case in support of its stand that all the
products fell under Chapter 33. However, the court rejected the claim of the
assessee in respect of some of the products like herbal massage for women and
Puma scalp tonic powder. We have gone through this judgment in extensor and
even at the cost of repetition we may note that the judgment in BPL
Pharmaceutical's case (supra) was approved and relied upon.
30.
All
these cases would, therefore, suggest that the products in question were found
to be and rightly held to be covered under Chapter 30 and not Chapter 33. We
must immediately point out that the expert opinion was pressed into service
before the Tribunal of Dr.V.N. Pandey who had in details analysed all these
products and noted that the products contained the elements having Ayurvedic
medicinal value. It was also noted rightly by the Tribunal that all these
products were produced under the drugs licence issued under the Drugs and
Cosmetics Act. Shri Radhakrishnan could not dispute this fact.
31.
Further
it was obvious from the labels of the products which we have ourselves
inspected in the court that there is a claim made in each of the lable of the
medicinal properties of the product. It is also found that there was a specific
claim that this is not a cosmetic product. In this behalf Shri Radhakrishnan
took us through the show cause notice and tried to point out that the products
were sold to the Hotels, Beauty Parlours etc. Our 27 attention was also
invited to various orders as also to the literature and it was tried to be
suggested that these products were treated to be the cosmetic products, if not
by the assessee, at least by the customers. We have already pointed out that
the common parlance test is not "be all and end all" of the matter on
the basis of which the case of Shri Baidyanath Ayurved Bhavan's case (supra)
was decided. We have further pointed out that thereafter firstly the entry was
amended and in series of decisions this Court has held that merely because the
product could be put to cosmetic use that would not by itself make it a
cosmetic product provided there was a rightful claim made that it was an
Ayurvedic product on the factual basis, and it contained the medicinal
Ayurvedic medicament. The miniscule percentage used is also not a deciding
factor and this court has, in series of decisions, held that the miniscule
percentage does not change the nature of the product from medicament to the
cosmetic products. In the wake of all these decisions it would have to be held
that the products referred to above, excepting in respect of which Shri
Lakshmikumaran has conceded, were the medicinal products and as such were
covered by Chapter 30 and not under Chapter 33.
32.
Even
at the cost of repetition we must observe that there has been no attempt on the
part of the Revenue to prove that these products are cosmetic as has been held
in BPL Pharmaceutical's case (supra). In that view we are of the clear opinion
that the Tribunal was right in holding 28 these products to be the medicinal
products and we approve of the findings of the Tribunal in that behalf
regarding the classification of the product.
33.
That
brings us to the second aspect of "valuation". Shri Lakshmikumaran
has specifically made a statement as regards the valuation in the following
terms:
"(1) Wherever
IRPL had sold products to the IMPL as also to independent third parties
including Hotels, the least price charged to the third parties may be taken as
the basis for the sales made by IRPL to IMPL for arriving at the assessable
value for such products.
(2) Wherever the
products were never sold by IRPL to the independent third parties, but only to
IMPL, the wholesale price of IMPL charged to the wholesale dealers for such
products, may be taken as the basis for arriving at the assessable value.
(3) While arriving at
the assessable value, discounts, freight excise duty, sales tax and other taxes
and other permissible deductions under Section 4 should be allowed in
accordance with the law."
To this Shri
Radhakrishnan has no objection. We, therefore, hold accordingly.
34.
Lastly,
the question was raised regarding the limitation. In view of our findings that
these products were genuinely Ayurvedic medicaments, it would not be necessary
for us to go into that question. However, since the parties have argued the
question, we would consider the same.
35.
The
Show Cause Notices in this case were given on 10.4.1996, 30.9.1996, 31.12.1996,
2.5.1997 and 28.10.1997. The Revenue sought to take advantage of the extended
period of limitation. On 10.4.2008 this Court had passed the following order in
respect of limitation:
"As far as the
question of limitation is concerned, following the decision of High Court of
Allahabad in the case of Shahnaz (173) ELT 337, it was held that the extended
period of limitation is not applicable. Against the said decision of the High
Court of Allahabad, a petition being SLP (C) No. 21585 of 2004 [CC 8996/04] was
filed in this Court in the case of Ayurvedics & Anr. 2004(174) ELT A34
which was dismissed on 8th October, 2004.
To enable us to
compare the similarity between the products in question in the present case and
the products which were in question before the High Court of Allahabad in the
case of Shahnaz Ayurvedics (supra), we direct counsel for the respondents to
produce the literature of the 22 products in question. We also direct counsel
for the appellant to place on record the literature of the products which were
in question in the case of Shahnaz Ayurvedics (supra) in the High Court."
36.
Accordingly,
the counsel produced the literature of the product which was comparable to the
products in Shahnaz Ayurvedics v. Commissioner of Central Excise, Noida [2004
(173) 338 (All.)]. We have seen the literature ourselves. Though Shri
Radhakrishnan contends that there is no similarity between the products
mentioned in Shahnaz Ayurvedics case (supra) and the products of the IRPL, we
do not agree.
It is obvious that
the products in the present case are comparable, if not identical with the
products in Shahnaz Ayurvedics case (supra). We, 30 therefore, have no reason
to take a different view that was taken by the Allahabad High Court and against
which the Special Leave Petition was dismissed by this Court. We also do not
agree that there was any mis- statement of facts or suppression of material
facts. It was contended that since the appellants sold their products to
boutiques, beauty parlours, hotels and traders, they should be held as
"cosmetics". We have already taken stock of this argument and
rejected the same. In that view we affirm the findings of the Tribunal
regarding the limitation. In our opinion the Tribunal has considered all the
facts brought before it and has come to the final findings in the following
words:
"This would also
go to show that a dispute prevailed in the matter of classification of such
products. In the above circumstances, the appellants cannot be held to be
guilty of suppression or mis-statement and hence the charge of suppression is
not sustainable. We, therefore, hold that the proviso to Section 11A(1) of the
Central Excise is not applicable to these 3 cases, and hence set aside the
demand covered by adjudication order No.5/98 as time barred."
We are satisfied with
the reasoning given by the Tribunal and affirm the same.
37.
Accordingly
all the above Appeals are dismissed. However, in the facts and circumstances of
the case we do not propose to inflict any costs.
.....................................J.
(Ashok
Bhan) 31 .....................................J.
(V.S.
Sirpurkar) New Delhi;
September
8, 2008.
Digital Performa Case
No. : CA 7357-7372 of 2001 Date of Decision : 08.09.2008 Cause Title :
Commissioner of Central Excise, Delhi Ishaan Research Lab (P) Ltd. & Ors.
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