Rt Traders v. The State Tax Officer

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 15-09-2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ and WMP.Nos. 38492 & 38493 of 2025

1. M/s.RT Traders, Rep by R Thaseen Firdouse, Proprietor, 97/3, M C Road Lane, Ambur, Vellore-635802.

Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The State Tax Officer Office of The Assistant Commissioner (ST), Ward-D, Block-30, T.S. No.79/2, D.No.87/4, Union Bank 1st Floor, By pass road, Melkrishnapuram, Ambur-635 802.

Respondent(s) PRAYER:- Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking issuance of writ of certiorarified mandamus, calling for the records of the respondent order Ref. No.ZD330825014118L, dated 01.08.2025 in GSTIN (33AYWPT0369F1ZY) pertinent to assessment year 2022-2023 and quash the same and consequently direct the respondent to redo the fresh assessment.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.K.Narayanan For Respondent:

Mrs.P.Selvi Government Advocate

ORDER

The present writ petition is filed challenging the impugned order dated 01.08.2025 relating to the assessment year 2022-23.

2. It is submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioner that the petitioner is engaged in the business of leather trading and is registered under the Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017. During the relevant period 2022-23, the petitioner filed its returns and paid the appropriate taxes. However, on verification of the returns, it was found that there was availment of ineligible Input Tax Credit.

3. Pursuant thereto, a notice in DRC-01 was issued on 07.04.2025, with an opportunity of personal hearing on 15.04.2025, followed by three reminder notices dated 14.06.2025, 09.07.2025 & 14.07.2025 with personal hearing on

17.06.2025, 14.07.2025 and 17.07.2025. However, the petitioner had not responded to any of the above notices, the impugned order was thus passed confirming the proposal. It is submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioner that neither the show cause notices nor the impugned order of assessment has been served on the petitioner by tender or sending it by RPAD, instead it had been uploaded under "additional notices and orders" tab on the GST Portal, thereby, the petitioner was unaware of the initiated proceedings and was thus unable to participate in the adjudication proceedings. It is submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioner that if the petitioner is provided with an opportunity, they would be able to explain the alleged discrepancies.

4. The learned counsel for the petitioner would place reliance upon the recent judgment of this Court in the case of M/s.K.Balakrishnan, Balu Cables vs. O/o. the Assistant Commissioner of GST & Central Excise in W.P.(MD)No.11924 of 2024 dated 10.06.2024, to submit that this court has remanded the matter back in similar circumstances subject to payment of 25% of the disputed taxes.

5. It was further submitted that the petitioner is ready and willing to pay 25% of the disputed tax and that they may be granted one final opportunity before the adjudicating authority to put forth their objections to the proposal, to which the learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondent does not have any serious objection.

6. By consent of both parties, the writ petition stands disposed of on the following terms:

a) The impugned order dated 01.08.2025 is set aside. b) The petitioner shall deposit 25% of the disputed taxes as admitted by the learned counsel for the petitioner and the respondent, within a period of four weeks from the date of uploading of web copy without waiting for the receipt of the certified copy.

c) If any amount has been recovered or paid out of the disputed taxes, including by way of pre-deposit in appeal, the same would be reduced/adjusted, from/towards the 25% of disputed taxes directed to be paid. The assessing authority shall then intimate the balance amount out of 25 % of disputed taxes

to be paid, if any, within a period of one week from the date of uploading of web copy without waiting for the receipt of the certified copy. The petitioner shall deposit such remaining sum within a period of three weeks from such intimation.

d) Failure to comply with the above condition viz., payment of 25% of disputed taxes within the stipulated period i.e., four weeks from the date of uploading of web copy of this order, shall result in restoration of the impugned order.

e) If there is any recovery by way of attachment of Bank account or garnishee proceedings, the same shall be lifted /withdrawn on complying with the above condition viz., payment of 25 % of the disputed taxes. f) On complying with the above condition, the impugned order of assessment shall be treated as show cause notice and the petitioner shall submit its objections within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of compliance of the conditions relating to deposit in Clause (b) and (c) supra, along with supporting documents/material. If any such objections are filed, the same shall be considered by the respondent and orders shall be passed in accordance with

law after affording a reasonable opportunity of hearing to the petitioner. It is made clear that if the above conditions viz., 25% of disputed taxes is not complied or objections are not filed within the stipulated period i.e., four weeks from the date of uploading of web copy of this order, the impugned order of assessment shall stand restored.

7. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

15-09-2025 kkn Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes

To 1.The State Tax Officer Office of The Assistant Commissioner (ST), Ward-D, Block-30, T.S. No.79/2, D.No.87/4, Union Bank 1st Floor, By pass road, Melkrishnapuram, Ambur-635 802

MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ J.

KKN 15-09-2025