Splitting of Contracts

The main thrust of the arguments of the learned Solicitor General before us was that the price for the sale of CKD packs by the foreign collaborator to the respondents is not the true price. In other words, the price fixed or mentioned in the invoices was not the sole consideration for the sale of CKD packs, for the various reasons stated by the Assistant Collector in his order. According to the learned Solicitor General, the price mentioned in the invoices was (or should have been) determined by taking into consideration the lumpsum of 15 million French Frances (nearly three crores of Rupees) paid by the respondents to the foreign collaborator under the agreement. It is on this basis Section 14(1)(a) was excluded and resort to Section 14(1)(b) of the Customs Act was sought to be justified by the revenue. In appreciating the above plea the court have to bear in mind certain basic principles. The bargain between the respondents and the foreign collaborator is evidenced by written agreements, (dated 6-11-1979 & 6-3-1980). There is no material nor was it suggested that the dealings between the parties are not at arm’s length. No evidence is available to show that the payment of royalty to the collaborator induced any extra commercial obligation for the price of CKD packs, parts and components. Ordinarily the Court should proceed on the basis that the apparent tenor of the agreements reflect the real state of affairs. It is, no doubt, open to the revenue to allege and prove that the apparent is not the real and that the price for the sale of th e CKD packs is not the true price, and the price was determined by reckoning or taking into consideration the lumpsum payment made under the collaroration agreement in the sum of 15 million French Frances. The short question is whether the revenue has succeeded in showing that the apparent is not the real and that the price shown in the invoices does not reflect the true sale price an so Section 14(1)(b) of the Act was properly invoked.