- The books of accounts or other documents, seized by the Central Excise Officer or produced by an assessee or any other person, which have not been relied on for the issue of notice under the Act or the rules made thereunder, shall be returned within thirty days of the issue of said notice or within thirty days from the date of expiry of the period for issue of said notice:Provided that the Principal Commissioner of Central Excise or Commissioner of Central Excise, as the case may be, may order for the retention of such books of accounts or documents, for reasons to be recorded in writing and the Central Excise Officer shall intimate to the assessee or such person about such retention.
