JUDGMENT :

J.B.PARDIWALA, J.

1. Since the issues involved in both the captioned writ applications are by and large the same, those were heard analogously and are being disposed of by this common judgment and order.

2. So far as the Special Civil Application No.8841 of 2020 is concerned, two issues are involved therein. The first issue relates to the true interpretation of Rule 86A of the CGST Rules inserted vide the Notification No.75/2019-CT dated 26th December, 2019 in the CGST Rules. The Rule 86A is in respect of the power and procedure for blocking the input tax credit (ITC) in the electronic credit ledger of a registered person. The second issue involved is with respect to the scope of exercise of power under Rule 86A of the Rules. In other words, the issue is whether the authority concerned is empowered to retain any amount deposited by a registered person during any inquiry or investigation in the absence of any confirmed liability against the assessee and, more particularly, without issuance of a show-cause notice and assessment/adjudication order imposing any tax liability on the assessee.

3. So far as the connected writ application, i.e., the Special Civil Application No.8163