(1) Where any taxable person---
(a) owns, operates or controls any machine installed or undertakes any process for the manufacture or production of the specified goods in contravention of any of the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder with intent to evade payment of cess; or
(b) contravenes any of the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder with intent to evade payment of cess,
then, all such goods or machines shall be liable to confiscation and the person shall be liable to penalty under section 18.
then, all such goods or machines shall be liable to confiscation and the person shall be liable to penalty under section 18.
(2) Whenever confiscation of any such goods or machines are authorised by this Act, the officer adjudging it shall give to the owner of such goods or machines an option to pay in lieu of confiscation, such penalty as specified under sub-section (3) as the said officer thinks fit.
(3) The penalty leviable under sub-section (2) shall not exceed the market value of the specified goods or the machines confiscated, less the cess chargeable thereon.
(4) The aggregate of penalty under sub-section (2) and penalty leviable shall not be less than the penalty equal to two hundred per cent. of the cess payable on such goods.
(5) No order for confiscation of the specified goods or machines for imposition of penalty shall be issued without giving the person a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
(6) Where the specified goods or machines are confiscated under this Act, the title of such goods or machines shall thereupon vest in the Central Government.
(7) The proper officer who confiscates any goods or machine under this section shall take and hold possession of the things confiscated and every officer of police, on the requisition of such proper officer, shall assist him in taking and holding such possession.
(8) The proper officer may, after satisfying himself that the confiscated goods or machines are not required in any other proceedings under this Act and after giving reasonable time not exceeding a period of three months to pay the fine in lieu of such confiscation, dispose of such goods or conveyance and deposit the sale proceeds thereof with the Central Government.