K. Ramamoorthy ( 1 ) THERE are two writ petitioners, the first petitionerm/s. Swastik Rubber Products Ltd. , is a Public Limited Company, second petitioner is a Secretary of the first petitioner and the shareholder. There are threerespondents, first is the Union of India, second is the Assistant Collector of Customs,bombay, and the third respondent is Appellate Collector of Customs, Bombay. ( 2 ) THE first petitioner is having its registered office at Kirkee, Poona, in thestate of Maharashtra. It is engaged in the business of manufacturers and dealers inall kinds of rubber, synthetic fabrics etc. In or about the 5th of August 1969 the firstpetitioner imported a product called Viton B for the purpose of manufacture ofvarious items or products of synthetic rubber from M/s. Du Pont Nemoursinternational SA. At the time of the import, the Collector of Customs levied dutyunder tariff item 87 which read on that date:all other articles any Revenue 60%otherwise specified. ad valorem. According to the first petitioner, the duty should have been levied under tariffitem 39 which read on that date :rubber Raw Revenue 40%ad valorem ( 3 ) THE first petitioner paid the duty levied under protest as it had to clear thecargo for its business. In or about 13th of November, 1969 the first petitioner madean application through his Clearing Agents for the refund of the excise dutycollected by the Department. On 24th of July, 1970, second respondent Asstt. Collector of Customs rejected the application. That was affirmed in appeal by theappellate Collector Customs. The first petitioner unsuccessfully approached theunion of India. On 11th of February, 1974 the Joint Secretary to Govt. of Indiapassed the order dismissing the revision of the first petitioner. On 8th of May, 1974the writ petition was instituted in this Hon ble Court. On 9. 5. 1974 the writ petitionwas admitted by this Court and interim orders were passed on 31. 5. 74. ( 4 ) ON 12th of August, 1970 i. e. after the import of the product by the petitionerin August 1969 by a Notification No. 76 the Custom Authorities brought Vitonunder item 82 (3) as "artificial or synthetic resins and the plastic material in anyform". Item 82 (3) (a) was noticed in Tariff Finance Act, 1970. On 3rd of September1974 an amendment application was filed by the petitioners in the writ petitionseeking to change item No. 87 to renumbered as 83 (2 ). Item 82 (3) (a) was noticed in Tariff Finance Act, 1970. On 3rd of September1974 an amendment application was filed by the petitioners in the writ petitionseeking to change item No. 87 to renumbered as 83 (2 ). On 13th of September, 1974the amendment was ordered by this Court. In 1975, Customs Tariff Act, 1975 wasenacted. The changes effected were the plastic and resin became classifiable underheading 39. 01 /06 and rubber synthetic became classifiable under heading 40. 01-04. Again the petitioners sought further amendment of the writ petition and this Courtby order dated 21st of November, 1976 permitted the amendment. ( 5 ) LEARNED Senior Counsel for the petitioner fairly brought to my notice thatsubsequent of the filing of the writ petition as per the interim orders passed by thiscourt provisional assessments were being made by the Department and thepetitioners will be satisfied if a suitable direction is issued with reference to reliefs (ii) and (iii) in para 13 of the writ petition as amended directing the Department tofinalise the matter in accordance with law after affording full and completeopportunity to the petitioners. ( 6 ) THE point that arises for consideration in this case is whether as on 1969viton B came under item No. 39 or duty could be levied under the residuary itemno. 87. ( 7 ) ON 24th of July, 1970 the Assistant Collector of Customs, Appraising Department (Revenue Section) Scindia House, Bombay-1 rejected the claim for refund bythe petitioners on the ground that the goods on test were found to be copolimerised products and they were correctly assessed to duty under item 87indian Customs Tariff and, therefore, charged to counterveiling duty under item15a of the Central Excise Tariff. No reasons were given by the Assistant Collectorcustoms and as submitted by the learned senior Counsel no opportunities weregiven to explain the position also. The first petitioner filed an appeal to theappellate Collector of Customs, Bombay. The first petitioner explained in detailreferring to the views of the experts in that field as to why the assessment shouldbe under item 39 of Indian Customs Tariffs in the following terms:- "we are writing this to request you to please reconsider your decision andreassess "viton B" as Synthetic Rubber under 39 (1) ICT in view of following: (1) Viton is a copolymer of vinylidine Fluoride and Hexafluroproplene (Ref. Page No. 196 of Vanderbilt Rubber Handbook 1968 Edition ). Page No. 196 of Vanderbilt Rubber Handbook 1968 Edition ). Many of the synthetic rubbers like SBR, Nitrile, Butyl are copolymersas detailed below: (1) SBR is a copolymer of Styrene and Butadiene. (2) Nitrile Rubber is a copolymer of Acrylonitrile and Butadiene p73 (3) Butyl is a copolymer of Isobutylene and Isoprene. And these copolymers are acceped as Synthetic Rubber. This shows that all copolymersare not Synthetic Plastics and therefore Viton should not be classified as"plastics" for the reason that it is a copolymer. (II) Viton is a Flucrocabon customer. Rubbers like Natural rubber, SBR,nitrile, Neoprene, Butyl are also classified under Elastomers. (Referpage 55 of Introduction to rubber technology by M. Morton-1963edition ). This shows that the terminology Elastomer is not restricted to Synthetic Plastics/resins only. Further we would like to state that Elastomers are divided into vulcanisable and non vulcanisable. (Ref. Page33 of Introduction to Rubber Technology by M. Morton-Edition 1963). On this page you will find that the following Synthetic Resin/plasticsare described as Non Vulcanisable Elastomer. Polyethene; Polvinyl Chloride;polyinyl Butryal; Teflon; Kel-F. Rubbers like Natural rubber, SBR. etc. are vulcanisable Elastomers. Viton is also a vulcanisable Elastomer which is explained in detail onpage 197 of Vandebuilt Rubber Handbook- 1968 Edition. Thereforeviton should be classified under synthetic rubber. (III) The following is the definition given for Synthetic rubber on page 69eof Brussels Convention Section VII Chapter 40- Note No. 4. (a) Unsaturated synthetic substances which can be irreversibly transformed into non-thermoplastic substances by vulcanisation with sulphur,selenium or tellurium, and which, when so vulcanised as well as maybe (without the addition of any substances such as plasticisers, fillersor reinforcing agents not necessary or the cross-linking), can producenon-thermoplastic substances which at a temperature between 15 and20c will not break on being extended to three times their originallength and will return after being extended to twice their originallength, within a period of two hours, to a length not greater than oneand a half times their original length. Such substances include cis-polyisoprene, polybuadiene, polychlorobutadiene (GRM), polybutadiene-styrene (CRS), polychlorobutadiene-acrylonitrile (CRN), polybutadiene-acrylonitrile (GRA) and butylrubber GRI): (b) Thioplasts (GRP); and (e) Natural Rubber modified by grafting or mixing with artificial plasticmaterial, provided that it complies with the requirements concerningvulcanisation, elasticity and reversibility in (a) above. When Viton is vulcanised using the necessary cross linking agents butwithout adding any fillers and plasticizer, and tested as above, it meetsthe above definition. When Viton is vulcanised using the necessary cross linking agents butwithout adding any fillers and plasticizer, and tested as above, it meetsthe above definition. We shall show you these test pieces for your observation and tests inthe personal hearing. This would convince that Viton is a Syntheticrubber. (IV) Definition of Elastomer is given on page 433 of the condensed Chemical Dictionary sixth edition edited by Arthur and Elizabeth Rose (Reinhold Publishing Corporation) is as below. "a. Synthetic polymer with rubber like characteristics, but not necessary in such a degree as to make the material practically useful. Examples of commercial products are butyl rubber, polyurethene rubber, and silicone rubber". This will also show that the Elastomer Viton should be considered as Synthetic Rubber". ( 7 ) ON 23rd of July, 1971 the Appellate Collector of Customs without considering the various aspects came to the conclusion that Viton B is correctly assessed duty under 871. C. T. /15a Central Excise Tariff. The reasoning is as follows :- "i have carefully considered the facts of the case and the contentions set forth in the appeal and during the hearing but observe that the subject goods "vitonb" is a fluoro elastomers based on a copolymer of hexafluoro propylere and vinylidene fluoride in the form of lumps. Further "viton B" is stated to beused in the moulding of various products such as gaskets, Oring, packings,hoses, wire insulations, protective coatings etc. These uses are generallyassociated with plastics rather than with rubber. These uses of "viton B" are not identical to that of natural rubber and therefore "viton B" does not qualify for classification under item 39 I. C. T. as "rubber raw/synthetic rubber". ( 8 ) THE first petitioner preferred a revision application before the Commissioner (Revision Applications), Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue andinsurance, New Delhi explaining again how the Appellate Collector of Customshad not appreciated the rule issued in the matter with reference to the opinions of the authorities and also mentioning the various properties and the strength of Viton B to stand high temperature. The explaination is as follows :- "we have to offer following justification for revision for assessing Viton B assynthetic Rubber under 39 ITC. (1) Viton is a copolymer of Vinylidine Fluoride and Hexaluroproplyene (Ref. Page No. 196 of Vanderbilt Rubber Handbook 1968 Edition ). The explaination is as follows :- "we have to offer following justification for revision for assessing Viton B assynthetic Rubber under 39 ITC. (1) Viton is a copolymer of Vinylidine Fluoride and Hexaluroproplyene (Ref. Page No. 196 of Vanderbilt Rubber Handbook 1968 Edition ). Many of the Synthetic Rubbers like SBR, Nitrile, Butyl are copolymersas detailed below: (1) SBR is a copolymer of styrene arid Butadiene. (2) Nitrile Ruber is a copolymer of Acrylonitrile and Butadiene. (3) Butyl is a copolymer of Isobutylene and Isoprene. And these copolymers are accepted as Synthetic Rubbers. This showsthat all copolymers are not plastics and therefore Viton should not beclassified as "plastics" for the reason that it is a copolymer. (II) Viton is a Flucrocarbon Elastomer. Rubbers like Natural Rubber, SBR,nitrile, Neoprene, Butyl are also classified under Elastomers. (Ref. Page No. 55 of Introduction to rubber technology by M. Morton 1963edition ). This shows that the terminology Elastomer is not restricted to Synthetic Plastics/resins only. Further we would like to state that Elastomers are divided into Vulcanisable and Non-Vulcanisable. (Ref. Page 33 of Introduction to Rubber Technology by M. Morton Edition1953 ). On this page you will find that the following Synthetic Resin/plastics are described as Non-Vulcanisable Elastomer. Polythlene,polyvinyl Chloride, Polyvinyl Butryal, Teflon, Del-F. Rubber likenatural Rubber, SBR etc. are Vulcanisable Elastomers. Viton is also avulcanisable Elastomer which is explained in detail on page 197 ofvanderbilt Rubber Hand Book-1968 Edition. Therefore Viton shouldbe classified under Synthetic Rubber. (III) The following is the definition given for Synthetic Rubber on Page 69-E of Brussels Convention Section VII Chapter 40-Note No. 4. (a) Unsaturated Synthetic substances which can be irreversibly transformed into non-thermoplastic substances by vulcanisation with sulphur,selenium or tellurium and which when so vulcanised as well as may be (without the addition of any substances such as plasticisers, fillers orreinforcing agents not necessary for the cross-linking), can producenon-thermoplastic substances which at a temperature between 15 and20c , will not break on being extended to three times their originallength and will return after being extended to twice their originallength, within a period of two hours, to a length not greater than oneand a half times their original length. Such substances include cis-polyisoprene, polybutadiene, polychlorobutadiene (GIM), polyvutadiene-acrylonitrile (GRA) and butyl rubber (GRI): (b) Thoplasts (GRP); and (e) Natural Rubber modified by grafting or mixing with artificial plasticmaterial, provided that it complies with the requirements concerningvulcanisation, elasticity and reversibility in (a) above. When Viton isvulcanised using the necessary cross linking agents but without adding any fillers and plasticizer, and tested as above, it meets the abovedefinition. We shall show you these test pieces for your observation and tests in thepersonal hearing. This would convince that Viton is a Synthetic Rubber. (IV) Definition of Elastomer given on page 433 of the condensed Chemicaldictionary sixth edition edited by Arthur and Elizabeth Rose (Rein-hold Publishing Corporation) is as below:"a Synthetic polymer with rubber like characteristics, but not necessary insuch a degree as to make the material practically useful. Examples ofcommercial products are butyl rubber, polyurethene rubber, and siliconerubber. This will also show that the Elastomer Viton should be considered assynthetic rubber. " (V) We have also attached herewith photostat copy of test results onsample of Viton B tested by M/s. Synthetic and Chemicals Ltd. , Bombay. Test shows that Viton B is a Synthetic Rubber. (VI) It has been mentioned in order in appeal under revision that uses ofviton are generally associated with plastics rather than with rubberand therefore it has been assessed as "plastics". We have to offer following comments, in this respect:- (1) The statement "these uses are generally associated with Plastics ratherthan with rubber" is very vague. Natural Rubber and rubbers like SBR, Neoprene, Acrylonitrile which arealready accepted as Synthetic Rubbers are used for making gaskets, rings,packings, hoses, wire insulations, protective coatings etc. Viton is also usedfor the same applications. Therefore Viton resembles very much to ruber andsynthetic rubber. We do not think it at all necessary to give evidenes for theabove mentioned applications of Natural Rubber, SBR, Neoprene andAcrylonitrile rubber. This is a fact which is well known to all the users of ruber parts. (2) It is stated that in Public Notice that uses of Synthetic Rubber areidentical to those of Natural Rubber. Therefore it is classified underict39. Synthetic rubbers are developed mainly because of two reasons: (a) Natural Rubber is available from specific areas which are nearer toequator, and where climatic conditions are favourable. Supplies available from natural resources are inadequate as compared to the increasing demand for rubbers all over the world. Therefore it is classified underict39. Synthetic rubbers are developed mainly because of two reasons: (a) Natural Rubber is available from specific areas which are nearer toequator, and where climatic conditions are favourable. Supplies available from natural resources are inadequate as compared to the increasing demand for rubbers all over the world. In order to meet theshortage and in order to overcome the dependence on Nature, Synthetic Rubber of the type SBRs was developed and is now used as asubstitute all over the world. (b) Natural Rubber has got some deficiencies. Natural Rubber does notstand oils, flame, high temperature etc. In order to overcome these deficiencies, new Synthetic Rubbers are developed. Thus you will find that Neoprene stands to oils, flame and heat, Acrylonitriletype of Synthetic Rubber stands oils, fuels and temperatures upto 120c. However, these rubers do not stand aromatic fuels and temperatures above120c. The new developments in Automobile Engineering, Aeronautics andother fields called for Synthetic rubber parts, which should stand aromaticfuels, flame, and very high temperatures upto 200c. To meet these requirements, new Synthetic rubbers were continuously under development work. Viton came as the answer to these requirements. If you consider the historyof the development of all Synthetic rubbers, you will definitely find that Vitonhas come up as a new development in the field of Synthetic Rubber Technology, to improve performance characteristics of rubber parts in the very severeservice conditions. We are attaching a bulletin No. 1971 /76 Elastomers Note-book published bydu Pont. You will find on the very first page, that work was done by cooperative efforts of rubber manufacturers and not plastic manufacturers. Thisproves that Viton belongs to the family of Synthetic Rubber. (VII) As per the current import policy the import of Synthetic Rubber iscanalised through STC. Naturally only for those items which fallunder the definition of Synthetic Rubber a release order is given by thecci and E, Delhi in consultation with the DGTD, for approaching thestc for getting requirement of Synthetic Rubber through STC. Wehave attached a photostat copy of the Release order issued by CCI ande No. Rubber/6/8/70-71/r. M. II. 5. 8. 71 dated 31/07/1971 fromwhich you would please observe that Viton is allowed to us for importonly under the group of Synthetic Rubber". ( 9 ) ON 11th of February, 1974 the Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India i. e. Jointsecretary of the Govt. 5. 8. 71 dated 31/07/1971 fromwhich you would please observe that Viton is allowed to us for importonly under the group of Synthetic Rubber". ( 9 ) ON 11th of February, 1974 the Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India i. e. Jointsecretary of the Govt. of India dismissed the revision application giving a differentreasoning in the following terms:- "government of India have carefully considered the revision application andthe pleadings made at the time of personal hearing and observe that the goodsare of high molecular weight fluorocarbon co-polymer of Hexafluoro propylene and vinylidene fluoride developed for certain typical and usage in view. These goods could be moulded to form O-rings oil seals and gaskets, forcoating fabrics. They are unaffected by ozoe and are resistant to chemicals,heat and radiation. The goods are soluble in polar solvents like methyl ethyl ketone and thesolution may be cast to form unsupported films or used as coatings in varietyof substrates including fabrics and metals. These physical and chemical properties as well as the uses are not associatedwith Raw rubber as understood in technical and trade parlance which aloneis classifiable under item 39 of ICT but compatible to fluoroplastics and resins. The film forming properties from solutions of viton in polar solvents andcoating properties of such solutions on metals and fabrics as recommendedin the supplier s catalogue furnished by the petitioners also exhibit sufficiently ]the resinous characteristics of the product. Under the circumstances Government of India consider that the subjectgoods should be more appropriately classified as artificial resins and sinceresins obtained by co-polymerisation are specifically covered by the Centralexcise item 15a (l) (ii), the levy of countervailing duty under the said Centralexcise Item is also justified. " ( 10 ) THE petitioners filed the writ petition challenging the orders of theauthorities. The prayer is in the following terms:-" (i) That this Hon ble Court be pleased to issue a writ of certiorari or a writin the nature of certiorari or any other appropriate writ, direction ororders calling the record of proceedings, of the petitioners case andafter going into the question of legality or propriety thereof to quashand set aside the three impugned orders dated 24/07/1970, 23rdjuly, 1971 and 1 14/02/1974. (ii) That this Hon ble Court be pleased to issue a writ of mandamus or awrit in the nature of mandamus or any other writ or direction or orderunder Article 226 of the Constitution of India directing the respondents, their officers, subordinates, servants and agents and othersuccessors in office to withdraw and cancel the said impugned ordersand refund the excess customs duty collected by them from the 1stpetitioner as aforesaid, and further direct them to for-bear fromassessing Viton B, Viton B-50, Viton E-60-C, all grades of Viton, Fluorel (all grades) and Technoflon (all grades) under item No. 87 as amendedas item No. 82 (3) of the Indian Customs Tariff by Custom Notificationno. 76 dated 12. 8. 1970 as further amended as item No. 39-01 /06 videthe Customs Tariff Act No. 51 of 1975 in future. (iii) Pending the hearing and final disposal of this petition this Hon blecourt be pleased to restrain the respondents, their officers, subordinates, servants and agents by an order of injunction of this Hon blecourt from treating Viton B, Viton B-50, Viton E 60-C, all grades ofviton, Fluorel (all grades) and Technoflon (all grades) under Item No. 87 as amended as Item No. 82 (3) of the Indian Customs Tariff bycustom Notification No. 76 dated 12. 8. 1970 as further amended asitem No. 39-01/06 vide The Customs Tariff Act No. 51 of 1975 whilelevying Customs Duty on the first petitioners. (iv) That the respondents be directed to pay the petitioners cost of thepresent petition. (v) For such other relief as the nature of the case my require. "ii. The petitioners have explained fully, as stated above, in their revisions asto how the product Viton B would come under Item 39. After the reasoning givenby the Govt. of India, dealing with the same in paragraph 6 of the petition thepetitioners explained the position which reads as follows :- "the petitioners say that in the trade and market both in India and abroad, thesaid item has not been treated, nor regarded as resin. Viton-B differs fromresin and from resin products in terms of composition, performance and pricealso. The petitioners submit that Viton B can be moulded to form 0 rings. Oilseals and gaskets for coating materials, the qualities which only rubber and or synthetic rubber possess. Viton-B differs fromresin and from resin products in terms of composition, performance and pricealso. The petitioners submit that Viton B can be moulded to form 0 rings. Oilseals and gaskets for coating materials, the qualities which only rubber and or synthetic rubber possess. The petitioners further submit that considerationof the history of the development of all the synthetic rubbers, clearly establishthat Viton has come up as a new development in the field of Synthetic Rubbertechnology, to improve performance characteristics of rubber parts in thevery severe service conditions. The petitioners further submit that unlikeplastics and Resins, Viton has to be compounded like Natural Rubber withsuitable vulcanising agent in order to impart the useful rubber properties tothe cast film. The petitioners further submit that so far there is not a singleplastic or resin which has got the characteristics of vulcanisation, elasticityand reversibility as are shown by rubbers. The petitioners submit that eachsynthetic rubber has these properties which clearly shows that Viton is asnythetic rubber and not a plastic/resin. The petitioners further submit thatthere is thus an error on the face of the record itself. "in paragraph 7, the petitioners had stated as under :-"the 1st petitioner says that if the trader was to go to the market and ask forviton-B, he would not be given any resin or any product from resin. Heretoannexed and marked Annexure F is a true copy of the affidavit of a traderin support of the petitioners aforesaid contention. " ( 12 ) IN spite of the fact that 19 years have rolled by since the date of theamendment of the petition in 1976 and 21 years had expired since the date of thefiling of the petition, the respondents had not chosen to file a reply. In Annexure-F an affidavit from an expert which is in the following terms has also been filed :- "i, Chandrashekhar Raghavendra Kulkami, age about years, of Poona, Indianinhabitant and Technical Director of M/s. Standard Rubber Linings Privateltd. , Poona having its registered office and my office at Plot No. 10, M. I. D. C. Poona-19 do hereby solemnly affirm and say as follows:-1. I am Engineering and Rubber Technologist and have experience in thisline of manufacturing rubber goods and automobiles for over 30 yearslast. I have been trained abroad in rubber technology. I also worked insenior positions in Hindusthan Motors, Dunlop Company Lathiarubber P. Ltd. etc. I am Engineering and Rubber Technologist and have experience in thisline of manufacturing rubber goods and automobiles for over 30 yearslast. I have been trained abroad in rubber technology. I also worked insenior positions in Hindusthan Motors, Dunlop Company Lathiarubber P. Ltd. etc. At present I am the Technical Director of M/s. Standard Rubber Linings Private Ltd. , Poona-19. I am familiar withvarious types of rubber products and/or products made of syntheticrubbers including Viton-B. 2. I know that M/s. Swastik Rubber Products Ltd. are manufacturing different kinds of rubber and synthetic rubber products including products from Viton-B. I say that Viton B and /or products made from Vitonb are considered or known in the market as products of Syntheticrubber. I further say that they are not known or considered in themarket as resin or plastic products. I say that products of Viton B aredifferent in composition, price and performance from those made ofplastic and/or resin. I further say that they are not and cannot besubstituted for one another as they materially differ in composition,price and performance. " ( 13 ) THE learned Senior Counsel Mr. Hakshar submitted that after the orderpassed on 11th of February, 1974 the Supreme Court of India had to consider asimilar product in the similar circumstances in the case reported in Dunlop Indialtd. v. Union of India and Others, AIR 1977 S. C. 597. The Department took the viewin that case that V. P. Latex was an aqueous dispersion of synthetic resin. Thesupreme Court of India upheld the contention of the Dunlop India Ltd. that V. P. Lotex is a rubber product. While dealing with that the Supreme Court referred tothe Import Trade Control Policy in paragraph 16 at page 601 in the followingterms:-"the appellants have also produced the Import Trade Control Policy, Volumei, for the year 1975-76 described during the arguments as the red Book of thecommerce Ministry of the Government of India. It may be useful to quote theentire entry 150 at page 58:section II: Policy for individual items and the detailed policy for Actual Users:part and SI. No. IMPORT POLICYof ITC Descriptionschedule Established Actual Usersimporters150 Rubber, raw and Nil (1) A. U. for import of Guttagutta percha, percha, raw. raw. (2) Requirements of actual usersfor the following items willbe met by imports throughpublic sector agency:- (i) Synthetic rubber namely,butyl rubber Acrylonitrile,thikol,poly is oprenepoly butadiene, Hypalon,viton Polyacrylic EPDM,chlonobutyl and Bromobutyl. No. IMPORT POLICYof ITC Descriptionschedule Established Actual Usersimporters150 Rubber, raw and Nil (1) A. U. for import of Guttagutta percha, percha, raw. raw. (2) Requirements of actual usersfor the following items willbe met by imports throughpublic sector agency:- (i) Synthetic rubber namely,butyl rubber Acrylonitrile,thikol,poly is oprenepoly butadiene, Hypalon,viton Polyacrylic EPDM,chlonobutyl and Bromobutyl. Silicone rubberand/silicone rubbemaster batches and ynthetic latex includingvinyl pyridine latex andcopoly, mer of styrenebutadiene latex, Nitnirelatex and polychloroprene latex. "therein it is clearly mentioned that Viton comes within the family, rubber. ( 14 ) IT was contended on behalf of the Department that V. P. Latex is merely anadhesive and so is akin to resin and not to rubber. In paragraph 36 at page 606 thesupreme Court in the case referred to above has observed that how an articleshould be considered to decide whether it comes within one entry or the other thatparagraph reads as follows :- "we are, however, unable to accept the submission. It is clear that meaningsgiven to articles in a fiscal statute must be as people in trade and commerce,conversant with the subject, generally treat and understand them in the usualcourse. But once an article is classified and put under a distinct entry, the basisof the classification is not open to question. Technical and scientific tests offerguidance only within limits. Once the articles are in circulation and come tobe described and known in common parlance, we then see no difficulty forstatutory classification under a particar entry. " ( 15 ) THEIR Lordships of the Supreme Court again emphatically stated that howthe fiscal policy should not put people in doubt and the classification by thedepartment should be clear. Paragraph 37 reads as follows :- "it is good fiscal policy not to put people in doubt and quandary about theirliability to duty. When a particular product like V. P. Latex known to trade andcommerce in this country and abroad is imported, it would have been betterif the article is co nomine, put under a proper classification to avoid controversy over the residuary clause. As a matter of fact in the Red Book (Importtrade Control Policy of the Ministry of Commerce) under item 150, in Sectionii, which relates to "rubber, raw and gutta percha, raw", synthetic latexincluding vinyl pyridine latex and copolymer of styrene butadiene latex arespecifically included under the sub-head "synthetic Rubber. As a matter of fact in the Red Book (Importtrade Control Policy of the Ministry of Commerce) under item 150, in Sectionii, which relates to "rubber, raw and gutta percha, raw", synthetic latexincluding vinyl pyridine latex and copolymer of styrene butadiene latex arespecifically included under the sub-head "synthetic Rubber. " We do not seeany reason why the same policy could not have been followed in the I. C. T. book being complementary to each other. When an article has, by all standards, a reasonable claim to be classified under an enumerated item in thetariff Schedule, it will be against the very principle of classification to denyit the parentage and consign it to an orphanage of the residuary clause. Thequestion of competition between two rival classifications will, however,stand on a different footing. "the learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner relied upon this passage andcontended that the Department was not justified in taking the product of Viton Bto residuary clause. ( 16 ) THE view of the Supreme Court has been followed in later case by thesupreme Court in the following cases:-Indian Aluminium Cables Ltd. v. Union of India and Others, AIR 1985 Supreme Court, 1201. Collector of Customs, Bombay v. Swastic Woollen (P) Ltd. and Others, AIR1988 Supreme Court 2176. Collector of Central Excise, Kanpur v. Krishna Carbon Paper Co. , AIR 1988supreme Court 2223. Keshavji Ravji And Co. and Others v. Commissioner of Income Tax, 1990 (2)Supreme Court Cases 231. Othayath Lekshmy Amma and another v. Nellachinkuniyil Govindan Nairand Others, (1990)3 Supreme Court Cases 374. Akbar Badrudin Jiwani of Bombay v. Collector of Customs, Bombay, AIR1990 Supreme Court 1579. Plasmaca Machine Manufacturing Co. Pvt. Ltd. v. Collector of Centralexcise, Bombay, AIR 1991 Supreme Court 999. Collector of Estate Duty, Madras v. Ratna Kumari Kumbhat (Mrs), 1993supp (1) Supreme Court Cases 420 (1 ). p73oswal Agro Mills Ltd. and Others v. Collector of Central Excise and Others,1993 Supp (3) Supreme Court Cases 716. In AIR 1985 S. C. 1201 (supra) at page 1205 the Supreme Court referring todublop India Ltd. also observed as follows:- "this Court has consistently taken the view that, in determing the meaning orconnotation of words and expressions describing an article in a tariff schedule, one principle which is fairly well settled is that those words andexpressions should be construed in the sense in which they are understood inthe trade, by the dealer and the consumer. The reason is that it is they whoareconcerned with it and, it is the sense in which they understand it whichconstitutes the definitive index of the legislative intention. See Commr. ofsales Tax, Madhya Pradesh v. Jaswant Singh Charan Singh (1967) 2 SCR 720 ,723: ( AIR 1967 SC 1454 at p. 1456), Minerals and Metals Trading Corpn. of Indialtd. v. Union of India, (1973)1 SCR 997 , 1002: ( AIR 1972 SC 2551 at p. 2554);dunlop India Ltd. v. Union of India, (1976) 2 SCR 98 , 113: ( AIR 1977 SC 597 at p. 607); State of U. P. v. Kores (India) Ltd. (1977) I SCR 837,839,: (AIR 1977sc 132 at p. 134); and, Delhi Cloth and General Mills Co. Ltd. v. State ofrajasthan, (1980) 3 SCR 1109 , 1115: ( AIR 1980 SC 1552 at p. 1554 ). "therefore, I am of the view that Viton B falls clearly under item 39 and viewtaken by the respondents cannot at all besustained in law. ( 17 ) AS noticed above by me, that with reference to the import made by thepetitioners subsequent to the filing of the writ petition provisional assessmentshave been made and, therefore, I cannot deal with those assessments now at thisstage because no final orders have been made by the authorities in view of thependency of this case. Therefore, I direct the concerned authorities dealing with thecases to proceed further and make final decisions in the matter after giving fullopportunity to the petitioners and then pass final orders. It is needless to say thatthe petitioners will be at liberty to challenge the same, if there is need. The learnedsenior Counsel also brought to my notice the decision of the Collector of Customswherein he had taken a view in favour of the petitioners. The matter is pendingadjudication in appeal and, therefore, I refrain from saying anything on thoseaspects. Therefore, the relief prayed for in paras (ii) and (iii) of the prayers inparagraph 13 of the writ petition are ordered in these terms. ( 18 ) RELIEF No. (i) in paragraph 13 is granted and the writ petition is allowedand the orders dated 24th of July, 1970,23rd of July, 1971 and 111th of February, 1974are quashed. ( 19 ) THE learned Counsel for the petitioners submitted details of refund in thefollowing terms:- "1. Refund Application bearing No. SSJ-705/a-2483 was made on 1 3/11/1969. 2. Total Custom Duty-Basic Rs. ( 19 ) THE learned Counsel for the petitioners submitted details of refund in thefollowing terms:- "1. Refund Application bearing No. SSJ-705/a-2483 was made on 1 3/11/1969. 2. Total Custom Duty-Basic Rs. 20,490. 00 calculated at 60% +c. V. dutyrs. 19,670. 60 calculated at 36% of C. I. F. value + Basic Duty i. e. , Rs. 40,160. 60was paid on 5. 8. 1969, against Bill of Entry Cash No. 730 dated 5. 8. 1969lbs of Viton-B imported by Steamer Flying Endeavour was classifiedunder Item 87 I. C. T. 3. If the said consignment would have been classified under Item 39 ICTas Synthetic Rubber, Basic Custom Duty of 27. 5% i. e. Rs. 9,391. 25 onlywould have been payable. 4. Differential/excess Custom Duty paid-Rs. 30,769. 35, which was claimedas refund by application dated 13. 11. 1969. "the amount refundable is Rs. 30,769. 35. The first petitioner was deprived ofits use by the orders passed by the various authorities. Following the principles laiddown in Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilisers Ltd. v. Deputy Commissioner ofcommercial Taxes, Mangalore Division, Mangalore and Others, 1993 Sales Taxcases 265 (Karnataka High Court), Parekh Prints v. Union of India, 1992 (62) E. L. T. 253 (Delhi High Court) and Kashyap Zip Industries v. Union of India, 1993 (64)E. L. T. 161 (S. C.), I direct the respondents to refund the sum of Rs. 30,769. 35 to thefirst petitioner with interest @ 10% per annum from 13th of August 1969 upto thedate of payment. There will be no order as to costs.