Chabbra Associates v. The Union Of India

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA

Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.4930 of 2023 ====================================================== Chabbra Associates H. No. 171, Khesra No.4704, 4705, Chiknauta, Chapra Bahas, Motihari, East Champaran, Bihar-845435, through its Proprietor namely, Ramesh Kumar Chabbra, aged about 51 Years, Male, Son of Satish Chandra Chabra, Resident of H. No. 171, Khesra No. 4704, 4705, Chiknauta, Chapra Bahas Motihari, Purbi Champaran, Bihar, PIN-845435. ... ... Petitioner/s

Versus

1.

The Union of India through Central Chief Commissioner, New Delhi. 2.

The Additional Commissioner, CGST, Bihar, Patna. 3.

The Joint Commissioner (Appeal) CGST and CX, Patna. 4.

The Superintendent CGST Motihari.

... ... Respondent/s ====================================================== Appearance :

For the Petitioner/s :

Mr.Ranjeet Kumar, Advocate For the Respondent/s :

Dr. K.N.Singh, ASG Mr. Anshuman Singh, Sr. SC, CGST & CX ====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE and HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE MADHURESH PRASAD ORAL JUDGMENT (Per: HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE) Date : 13-04-2023 The petitioner is concerned with the cancellation of registration as brought on by Annexure-3 dated 23.07.2021. An appeal was filed which also stood dismissed by Annexure-6 dated 08.02.2023. The dismissal of the appeal was on account of the appeal having not been filed within the period of limitation and even the further period in which the appellate authority, as per Section 107(4) of the Bihar Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, had power to condone the delay.

The learned counsel for the petitioner relied on the

Patna High Court CWJC No.4930 of 2023 dt.13-04-2023 2/3 Notification bearing No.03/2023 dated 31st March, 2023 of the Government of India, Ministry of Finance, (Department of Revenue) Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.

The learned State Counsel, however, points out that in the present case, the appeal was rejected for the reason of it being not maintainable for reason of the delay and not due to failure of adherence to the time limit specified under Section 30(1) of the Act. We extract the Explanation to the Notification dated 31st March, 2023 hereinbelow:- "Explanation: For the purposes of this notification, the person who has failed to apply for revocation of cancellation of registration within the time period specified in section 30 of the said Act includes a person whose appeal against the order of cancellation of registration or the order rejecting application for revocation of cancellation of registration under section 107 of the said Act has been rejected on the ground of failure to adhere to the time limit specified under sub-section (1) of Section 30 of the Act."

The Notification makes applicable the benefit to persons who have failed to apply for revocation of the cancellation of registration within the time period prescribed in Section 30 of the said Act, if such cancellation was effected prior to 31.12.2022. As per the aforesaid Explanation, even in cases where an appeal filed against the rejection for reason of non-adherence to the time limit under Section 30(1) of the Act was enabled the benefit of the Notification. We do not find any exclusion insofar as a person having

Patna High Court CWJC No.4930 of 2023 dt.13-04-2023 3/3 applied for revocation of cancellation, which was rejected and an appeal therefrom was delayed under Section 107 of the Act. The Notification does not exclude such cases. When a defaulter is enabled the benefit, we are of the opinion that such benefit should be available even to persons who availed the benefit but failed to file an appeal within the time specified under Section 107 of the Act. In such circumstances, we set aside the order under Appeal, Annexure-6 and direct the petitioner to comply with the Notification in its letter and spirit, upon which he will be enabled the benefit of the Notification.

The writ petition stands allowed without any order as to costs.

(K. Vinod Chandran, CJ) ( Madhuresh Prasad, J) Sujit/Sharun AFR/NAFR NAFR CAV DATE Uploading Date 17.04.2023 Transmission Date