Aristocrat Agencies, Hyderabad Etc vs Excise Superintendent, Hyderabad And ...

The Supreme Court held that the countervailing duty is chargeable at the rate prevailing on the date of actual import of liquor, not on the date of issue of the permit. The Court affirmed the High Court's decision, stating that the enhancement of duty through notification dated 8th February 1991 applied to imports made after that date, even if the permits were issued earlier. The Court emphasized that Section 21 of the Andhra Pradesh Excise Act, 1968 allows for such adjustments in duty rates, thereby upholding the demand for differential duty from the appellants.