Tvl.Bharath Steel Traders v. The State Tax Officer
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
Dated : 08.08.2024 Coram The Hon'ble Mr.Justice Krishnan Ramasamy and W.M.P.Nos.22134 & 22135 of 2024 Tvl.Bharath Steel Traders, GSTIN/ID:33AXGPK6588G1Z6, Represented by its Proprietor Gunasekaran Kanagalakshmi, 13, Sivaji Colony, Thadagam Road, Edayar Palayam, Coimbatore-641 025.
...Petitioner
Vs.
The State Tax Officer, Velandipalayam Assessment Circle, Commercial Tax Building, Dr. Balasundaram Road, Coimbatore-641 018.
... Respondent Prayer: This Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Certiorari, call for the records pertaining to the impugned order in Form GST DRC-07 bearing reference number ZD331223122692T/2017-18 dated 18.12.2023, issued by the respondent and quash the same.
For Petitioner : Mr.S.Durairaj For Respondent : Mr.G.Nanmaran, Special Government Pleader (T)
ORDER
Challenging the order dated 18.12.2023 passed by the respondent, the petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition. 1/6
2. Mr.G.Nanmaran, learned Special Government Pleader (Tax) takes notice on behalf of the respondent.
3. By consent of the parties, the main Writ Petition is taken up for disposal at the admission stage itself.
4. Alleging that there is mismatch of tax liability between Form GSTR-3B and GSTR-1 filed by the petitioner for the financial year 2017-2018, the respondent passed an impugned order dated 18.12.2023, demanding the payment of differential tax amount in respect of the impugned assessment period.
5. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the Show Cause Notice dated 25.09.2023 in Form DRC-01 raised on the petitioner in the GST common portal under "View Additional notice/orders" tab, as the petitioner was unaware of the same, he failed to respond the said Show Cause Notice. Further, he submitted that even an impugned order was uploaded in the GST portal under "View Additional notice/orders" and the physical version of such 2/6
order was not served on the petitioner. The petitioner came to know about the impugned proceedings only through the Bank, on account of recovery proceedings. Further, he would submit that, if an opportunity is provided, the petitioner would be able to substantiate his case and also he agrees to make a payment of 10% of the disputed tax demand in respect of the impugned assessment period.
6. Mr.G.Nanmaran, learned Special Government Pleader (Tax) appearing for the respondent would submit that subject to the deposit of 10% of the disputed tax by the petitioner in respect of the impugned assessment period, this Court can consider and pass appropriate orders.
7. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner as well as the learned learned Special Government Pleader for the respondent and perused the materials available on record.
8. Considering the above submissions made by the learned counsel on either side and upon perusal of the materials, it is evident that the impugned show cause notice was uploaded on the GST Portal Tab. According to the 3/6
petitioner, the petitioner was not aware of the issuance of the show cause notice issued through the GST Portal and the original of the said show cause notice was not furnished to them. In such circumstances, this Court is of the view that the impugned order came to be passed without affording an opportunity of personal hearing to the petitioner to establish its case, thereby violating the principles of natural justice and that it is just and necessary to provide an opportunity to the petitioner to establish their case on merits and in accordance with law.
9. For the reasons stated above, this Court is inclined to set aside the impugned order dated 18.12.2023 passed by the respondent, with the following directions:- (i) The order impugned herein is set aside and the matter is remanded to the respondent for fresh consideration on condition that the petitioner shall pay a 10% of the disputed tax to the respondent within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order; and the setting aside of the impugned order will take effect from the date of payment of the said amount.
(ii) The petitioner shall file their reply/objection along with the required documents, if any, within a period of two weeks thereafter.
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(iii) On filing of such reply/objection by the petitioner, the respondent shall consider the same and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, after providing an opportunity of personal hearing to the petitioner, as expeditiously as possible.
(iv) Considering the fact that the impugned order itself has been set aside, this Court is of the opinion that the attachment of the petitioner's Bank account cannot survive any longer and hence, it is ordered to be lifted. The respondent is directed to instruct the Bank to de-freeze the petitioner's Bank account immediately upon the production of a copy of this order, in case if the petitioner's Bank account is attached.
10. With the above directions, the writ petition is disposed of. There is no order as to costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.
08.08.2024 Speaking/Non-speaking order Index : Yes / No jd To The State Tax Officer, Velandipalayam Assessment Circle, Commercial Tax Building, Dr. Balasundaram Road, Coimbatore-641 018.
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Krishnan Ramasamy,J., jd 08.08.2024 6/6