JUDGMENT :

(Common Prayer: Writ Petitions filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorari, calling for the records on the file of the 2nd respondent in TIN:33532463212/2007 -08, TIN:33532463212/2008 - 09, TIN:33532463212/2009 - 10 & TIN:33532463212/2010 - 11 respectively, dated 06.03.2015 quash the same.)

1. Admittedly, the original Assessment Orders for the years 2007 -08, 2008 - 09, 2009 - 10 & 2010 - 11, are under challenge in these writ petitions.

2. The petitioner is a registered dealer on the file of the second respondent. The petitioner is engaged in manufacture and sale of cotton fabrics.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner contended that the assessment orders passed by the second respondent are not in consonance with the provisions of the Act as well as the factual details are not considered in its entirety. Several grounds raised in these writ petitions would show that adjudication of disputed facts are required to be undertaken by the Competent Appellate Authority. The Appellate Authority is the final fact finding authority and the right of appeal to the petitioner assessee need not be denied in a routine manner. The right of appeal is important as far as the petitioner is concerned, as the Appellate Authority is exercising quasi judicial power and empowered to adjudicate both factual disputes and the legal grounds raised. Thus, the importance of appellate remedy and the legislative intention in this regard, at no circumstances be undermined. High Court cannot adjudicate the disputed facts in a writ proceedings under Article 226 of the Constitution of India.

4. Preferring an appeal is the rule. Entertaining a Writ Petition before exhausting the appellate remedy is an exception. Undoubtedly, writ proceedings may be entertained before exhausting the appellate remedy. However, it is to be ensured that there is an imminent threat or gross injustice warranting urgent relief to be granted. Mere violation of principles of natural justice is insufficient to entertain a writ proceedings under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, as every Writ Petition is filed based on one or the other ground stating that the principles of natural justice is violated or statutory requirements are not complied with or there is an illegality or otherwise. Thus, dispensing with an appellate remedy is to be granted cautiously in view of the fact that the very purpose and object of legislation providing an appellate remedy cannot be diluted nor the benefit be denied to the aggrieved person to exhaust the same. The statutory appellate authorities are the final fact finding authorities. Thus, the finding to be made by such appellate authorities with reference to the documents and evidences are of paramount importance for the purpose of exercise of judicial review by the High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India.

5. The power of judicial review of the High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India is to scrutinize the processes through which a decision is taken by the competent authority by following the procedures as contemplated, but not the decision itself. Therefore, the routine entertainment of a Writ Petition by dispensing with appellate remedy is not preferable and such an exercise would cause injury to the institutional hierarchy and the importance attached to such appellate institutions. The appellate institutions provided under the statute at no circumstances be undermined by the higher Courts. The appellate forums are the final fact finding authorities and more so, possessing expertise in a particular field. Thus, the finding of such appellate forums would be a valuable assistance for the purpose of exercise of judicial review by the High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. The High Court cannot conduct a roving enquiry with reference to the facts and circumstances based on the documents and evidences. Based on the mere affidavits filed by the lit