| RULE 17. Confiscation and  penalty. —  (1) If any person,  takes or utilises CENVAT credit in respect of input, wrongly or  in contravention of any of the provisions of these rules, then, all such goods  shall be liable to confiscation and such person, shall be liable to a penalty in  terms of clause (a) or clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 11AC of the  Excise Act.  (2)    In a case, where the  CENVAT credit in respect of input has been taken or utilised wrongly by reason  of fraud, collusion or any wilful mis-statement or suppression of facts, or  contravention of any of the provisions of the Excise Act, or of the rules made  thereunder with intent to evade payment of duty, then, the manufacturer shall  also be liable to pay penalty in terms of the provisions of clause (c), clause  (d) or clause (e) of sub-section (1) of section 11AC of the Excise Act.  (3)    Any order under  sub-rule (1) or sub-rule (2) shall be issued by the Central Excise Officer  following the principles of natural justice. |