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IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI
Manmohan, Navin Chawla, JJ.
Nitin Singhania - Appellant
Versus
Commissioner of Goods and Services Tax East - Respondent
W.P.(C) 14647 of 2021
Decided On : 20-12-2021




The principle that a writ cannot be entertained when an efficacious alternative remedy exists is upheld under Section 159(5) of the CGST Rules, 2017.

Headnote:(A) Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 - Section 2(107) - Definition of taxable person - Section 132 - Offences under the Act - Writ petition challenging provisional attachment of bank accounts and properties - Petitioner argues non-liability to tax and absence of material for offence - Court finds efficacious alternative remedy available under Section 159(5) of CGST Rules, 2017 - Writ petition dismissed with liberty to file objections. (Paras 2-4)

(B) Alternative remedies - The court reaffirmed the principle that writs cannot be entertained if an efficacious alternative remedy is available. (Para 3)

Facts of the case:
The petitioner filed a writ petition against the provisional attachment of personal bank accounts and properties, asserting non-taxable status and lack of evidence for alleged involvement in an offence.

Findings of Court:
The court disposed of the petition, allowing the petitioner to file objections and leaving rights and contentions open.

Issues: The main issue was whether the petitioner was a taxable person under the CGST Act.

Ratio Decidendi: The court ruled that an efficacious alternative remedy existed under Section 159(5) of the CGST Rules and chose not to entertain the writ.

Result: Writ petition dismissed.

JUDGMENT

Manmohan, J.:

C.M.No.46150/2021

Exemption allowed, subject to all just exceptions.

Accordingly, the application stands disposed of.

W.P.(C) No.14647/2021

1. Present writ petition has been filed challenging the order dated 31st March, 2021, whereby the respondent has directed the Bankers of the petitioner to provisionally attach the petitioner's personal bank accounts and immovable properties. Petitioner also seeks directions to the respondent to de-freeze the personal bank accounts and the immovable properties of the petitioner.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner states that the petitioner is not a `taxable person' as defined under Section 2(107) of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (hereinafter referred to `CGST Act') and is not liable to pay any tax under the said Act. She states that there is no material on record to show the involvement of the petitioner in the alleged offence and so no prima facie case is made out against the petitioner in terms of Section 132 of the CGST Act.

3. This Court in Watermelon Management Services Private Limited vs. The Commissioner, Central Tax, GST Delhi (East) & Anr., W.P.(C) No.3274/2020 has held that writs cannot be entertained as petitioner has efficacious alternative remedy before competent authority by filing objections under Rules 159(5) of the CGST Rules, 2017.

4. Keeping in view the aforesaid, the present writ petition is disposed of with liberty to the petitioner to file his objections under Section 159(5) of the CGST Rules, 2017. In the event, such objections are filed within two weeks, the same shall be decided by the competent authority in accordance with law within four weeks, thereafter,. The rights and contentions of all the parties are left open.

5. With the aforesaid directions, present writ petition stands disposed of.

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