Tvl. Sivasakthi Amman v. The Deputy State Tax Officer - 1
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 04.06.2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY and W.M.P(MD)No.11151 of 2026 Tvl. Sivasakthi Amman Rep. by its Proprietor T.Sermathurai No.49, First Floor, Chitrakara Street, Madurai-625 001.
.. Petitioner - Vs. - - The Deputy State Tax Officer-1 Munichalai Road Circle, Madurai-625 020.
.. Respondent Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records pertaining to the impugned order passed by the respondent vide his proceedings in GSTIN : 33CEYPS1582M1ZK/2021-22, dated 23.12.2025 and quash the same as it is illegal, without jurisdiction and in gross violation of principles of natural justice and further direct the respondent to re-do the assessment afresh after providing an opportunity of personal hearing as per the provisions of the GST Act, 2017. 1/6
For Petitioner : Mr.A.Satheesh Murugan For Respondent : Mr.R.Parthiban Government Standing Counsel
ORDER
This writ petition challenges the impugned order dated 23.12.2025 which is an assessment order passed under Section 73 of the TNGST Act, 2017.
2. I have heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Standing Counsel for the respondent.
3. By the impugned order, the assessment was made ex-parte because the petitioner did not utilise the opportunities provided. The discrepancies and grounds on which the assessment order was issued, the dealer's explanation on merits, and the reasons for not participating in the assessment proceedings are summarised briefly and presented in a table below:
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Discrepancies found/Grounds on which the assessment Explanation offered by the Explanation for not availing the opportunity Assessee on merits is passed Non-submission of supporting documents for the claim of exemption The petitioner is dealing with exempted outward supply of pepper only which is fully exempted from GST as per Notification No.
2/2017-Central Tax (Rate) dated 28.06.2017 and accordingly, I have filed monthly returns and claiming exemption on the same through GSTN Common Portal.
The petitioner is ready to file reply along with connected records on the claim of exemption.
The impugned order uploaded in the GST Portal due to without knowledge of the petitioner. The accountant has not informed about the impugned order.
4. Considering the nature of the claim of exemption noted, the explanation provided by the assessee and the reason given before this Court for not availing the opportunity, I believe that an opportunity can be granted to the assessee to present their submissions and produce the relevant supporting documents before the respondent assessing officer. This Court has been extending such opportunities on equitable grounds; however, under appropriate conditions. Therefore, an opportunity is granted to the petitioner assessee.
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5. Normally, this Court imposes a condition to deposit 25% of the disputed tax amount, but however, in this case, since it is pleaded that the petitioner is dealing with pepper and an exempted item, such a condition is not imposed. In view thereof, this Writ Petition is allowed on the following terms:
(i) The impugned order dated 23.12.2025 shall stand set aside, and the matter shall stand remanded back to the file of the respondent;
(ii) Within four weeks from the date of receipt of a web copy of the order, the assessee shall appear before the respondent without fail and submit their reply and documents in support of their claim, and it is for the respondent to consider the matter afresh and pass orders in accordance with law, without waiting for a certified copy of the order;
(iii) Since the impugned order of assessment is set aside, any attachment of the bank account made pursuant to the impugned order shall stand raised;
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(iv) No costs. Consequently the connected miscellaneous petition is closed.
04.06.2026 sji NCC: Yes/No To The Deputy State Tax Officer-1 Munichalai Road Circle, Madurai-625 020.
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D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.
sji 04.06.2026 6/6