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2022 Supreme(Guj) 1595

IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD
SONIA GOKANI, MAUNA M. BHATT, JJ.
Jatin Bhagwatlal Shah - Petitioner
Versus
State of Gujarat - Respondent
R/Special Civil Application No. 18201 of 2022
Decided On : 22-12-2022

Advocates Appeared:
For the Petitioner: Uchit N. Sheth.
For the Respondent: Ms. Pooja Ashar, Asst. Government Pleader.

Headnote:

Central/Gujarat Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 - Section 107, 67 - Cancellation of registration certificate - Challenging order - No opportunity of hearing was given - Challenging order passed confirming cancellation of registration certificate under GST Act – Held, It is quite apparent from material, which is placed on record that cancellation of registration certificate is contrary to law - It is a non-speaking order, which cancelled registration on ground that he did not remain present even though he did submit reply - It needs to be pointed out that petitioner concerned had shifted to another premises and, hence, he simply cannot be found at old address - In absence of any intimating during spot visit, if it was difficult for him to remain present because of shift in office, cancellation of registration with retrospective date is fully impermissible - Order passed by respondent No.2 and order canceling registration certificate of petitioner is also quashed and set aside and registration certificate of petitioner is thereby restored - Petition allowed.

ORDER :

Sonia Gokani, J.

1. This is a petition challenging the order dated 20.08.2022 passed under section 107 of the Central/Gujarat Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (GST Act) confirming cancellation of registration certificate under the GST Act. The Authority proceeded to dismiss the appeal by order dated 20.08.2022. It is also averred that the order of cancellation of registration is also non-speaking. It is cancelled on the ground that the petitioner did not remain present even though, admittedly, the petitioner submitted the reply and no opportunity of hearing was given. The registration of the petitioner stood suspended from 29.01.2022. He was present at the time of spot visit and did explain to the authority. However, his appeal came to be dismissed and he is before this Court. The petitioner has no other remedy. Retrospective cancellation of the registration of certificate, according to him, is causing a cascading effect and, hence, this petition with the following reliefs :

    “33. In view of the aforesaid premises, the Petitioner humbly prays that:

RELIEFS CLAIMED

A. This Hon’ble Court may be pleased to issue a writ of certiorari or writ in the nature of certiorari or any other appropriate writ or order quashing and setting aside impugned order dated 20.8.2022 (annexed at Annexure A) passed by Respondent No.2 as well as impugned order dated 19.3.2022 ( annexed at Annexure J) passed by the Respondent No.3;

B. This Hon’ble Court may be pleased to issue a writ of mandamus or a writ in the nature of mandamus or any other appropriate writ or order directing the Respondents to forthwith restore the registration certificate of the Petitioner under the GST Acts;

C. Without prejudice to the above and in the alternative this Hon’ble Court may be pleased to declare that impugned order dated 19.3.2022 (annexed at Annexure J) passed by the Respondent No.3 canceling registration certificate of the Petitioner under the GST Acts will operate only prospectively with effect from date of order of cancellation;

D. Pending, notice, admission and final hearing of this petition, this Hon’ble Court may be pleased to stay the retrospective operation of the impugned order dated 19.3.2022 (annexed at Annexure J) canceling the registration certificate of the Petitioner under the GST Acts;

E. Ex-parte ad interim relief in terms of prayer D may kindly be granted;

F. Such further relief(s) as deemed fit in the facts and circumstances of the case may kindly be granted in the interest of justice for which act of kindness your petitioners shall forever pray.”

2. Affidavit-in-reply is filed denying all paragraphs.

3. It is not in dispute that the petitioner has challenged the order of 20.08.2022 passed under section 107 of the GST Act confirming the order of cancellation of registration of certificate under the GST Act on the ground that despite justification provided by the petitioner, the same is not considered. The spot visit of principal place of business was conducted by respondent authorities on 14.12.2021, 15.02.2022 and 09.05.2022 by the authorised officer, but he did not find any stock, register of accounts or infrastructure. Hence, on 26.04.2022, the petitioner was intimated about the spot visit to be conducted at the principal place of business. According to the petitioner, the proceedings under section 67 are on going. Without prejudice to this proceedings, if the revocation of registration is ordered in favour of the petitioner, the same shall not affect the interest of the Revenue.

4. Affidavit-in-rejoinder is filed by the petitioner, where it challenges the cancellation of registration and that too with retrospective effect only on the basis of minor procedural difficulty. The spot visit was without giving notice to the petitioner. He was not present at the place of business and, therefore, the same was closed and adverse inference is drawn from that. The tenure of such agreement being till 30.11.2022 is hardly relevant. Sales invoice produced by the p

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