(1) The Appellate Tribunal may, after giving the parties to the appeal, an opportunity of being heard, pass such orders thereon as it thinks fit, confirming, modifying or annulling the decision or order appealed against or may refer the case back to the authority which passed such decision or order with such directions as the Appellate Tribunal may think fit, for a fresh adjudication or decision, as the case may be, after taking additional evidence, if necessary.
[(1A) The Appellate Tribunal may, if sufficient cause is shown, at any stage of hearing of an appeal, grant time to the parties or any of them and adjourn the hearing of the appeal for reasons to be recorded in writing:
Provided that no such adjournment shall be granted more than three times to a party during hearing of the appeal.]
(2) The Appellate Tribunal may, at any time within [six months] from the date of the order, with a view to rectifying any mistake apparent from the record, amend any order passed by it under sub-section (1) and shall make such amendments if the mistake is brought to its notice by the [Principal Commissioner of Customs or Commissioner of Customs] or the other party to the appeal:
Provided that an amendment which has the effect of enhancing the assessment or reducing a refund or otherwise increasing the liability of the other party shall not be made under this sub-section, unless the Appellate Tribunal has given notice to him of its intention to do so and has allowed him a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
[(2A) The Appellate Tribunal shall, where it is possible to do so, hear and decide every appeal within within a period of three years from the date on which such appeal is filed:
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(3) The Appellate Tribunal shall send a copy of every order passed under this section to the [Principal Commissioner of Customs or Commissioner of Customs] and the other party to the appeal.
(4) Save as otherwise provided in section 130 or section 130E, orders passed by the Appellate Tribunal on appeal shall be final.