M/S Swami Saranam Transport v. The Deputy Commissioner Of Gst And Central Excise
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 21.07.2025 Coram The Honourable Mr.Justice Krishnan Ramasamy and WMP Nos. 29329 and 29331 of 2025 M/s. Swami Saranam Transport, Represented by its Proprietor, Mr. Shanmugam Palayapatti Murugesan,19, 1st Street, Kasi Koil Kuppam, Ennore, Chennai 600 057.
...Petitioner
Vs.
1. The Deputy Commissioner of GST & Central Excise, Thiruvottiyur division, Chennai North Commissionerate, Ananda Complex, 459, Anna salai, Teynampet, Chennai 600 018.
2. The Assistant Commissioner (Circle III), Audit I Commissionerate, No. 1775, Jawaharlal Nehru Inner Ring Road, Anna Nagar Western Extension, Chennai 600 101.
...Respondents
1/6
Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Certiorari to call for the records pertaining to the impugned order-in-original no.38/2024-25 (GST)-DIV dated 04.02.2025 passed by the 1st Respondent and quash the same. For Petitioner : Mr.Hari Radhakrishnan For Respondents : Mr.K.S.Ramaswamy Senior Standing Counsel
ORDER
Mr.K.S.Ramaswamy, learned Senior Standing Counsel takes notice on behalf of the respondents. With consent, the main Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the stage of admission itself.
2. The challenge in this Writ Petition is to the order dated 04.02.2025 passed by the 1st respondent and to quash the same.
3. The issues involved in this writ petition pertains to bunching of show cause notice/orders as well as other issues. This Court in a batch of writ petitions in W.P.Nos.29716/2025 etc., batch vide order dated 21.07.2025 passed the order, quashing the show cause notices/orders. The operative portition of the said order is exracted hereunder: 2/6
"28. In view of the above discussion, this Court pass the following orders:
(i) The GST Act permits only for issuance of show cause notice based on the tax period. Therefore, if the annual return is filed, the entire year would be considered as a tax period and accordingly, the show cause notice shall be issued based on the said annual returns.
(ii) If show cause notice is issued before the filing of annual returns, the same can be issued based on the filing of monthly returns;
(iii) If show cause notice is issued after the filing of annual returns or after the commencement of limitation, the said notice shall be issued based on the annual returns with regard to the relevant financial year. (iv) No show cause notice can be clubbed and issued for more than one financial year since the same is impermissible in law.
(v) In these cases, without any jurisdiction, the impugned show cause notices/orders came to be issued/passed for more than one financial year, which is impermissible in law and hence, the same is liable to be 3/6
quashed. Accordingly, the impugned show cause notices/orders stand quashed based on the aspect of clubbing of show cause notices for more than one financial year."
4. As far as the issue pertains to clubbing of show causes notices and passing of consequent assessment orders are concerned, this writ petition stands allowed in the light of the aforesaid order passed by this Court on 21.07.2025. With respect to all other issues, it is open to the Department to issue independent show cause notice in accordance with law.
5. With the aforesaid observations, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed. 21.07.2025 arr Index : yes/no To 4/6
1. The Deputy Commissioner of GST and Central Excise, Purasawalkam Division, Chennai North Commissionerate, Newry Towers, No.2054, I Block, II Avenue, 12th Main Road, Anna Nagar, Chennai-600 040.
2. The Superintendent of GST and Central Excise, Range-II of Purasawalkam Egmore Division Chennai North Commissionerate, Newry Towers No.2024, I Block, II Avenue, 12th Main Road, Anna Nagar, Chennai- 600 040.
Krishnan Ramasamy,J., 5/6
arr 21.07.2025 6/6