IN THE HIGH COURT OF ALLAHABAD
PIYUSH AGRAWAL, J.
J.K. Cement Ltd. - Petitioner
Versus
State of U.P. and 3 Others - Respondents
WRIT TAX NO. - 44 OF 2023.
Decided On : 28-08-2023
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. facts surrounding the petitioner's case. (Para 2 , 3 , 4) |
| 2. petitioner's arguments regarding e-way bill. (Para 5 , 6) |
| 3. respondent's argument supporting the impugned order. (Para 7) |
| 4. court's observations about the correct interpretation of the law. (Para 8 , 9 , 10 , 11) |
| 5. court's final decision and order. (Para 12) |
JUDGMENT
Piyush Agrawal, J.
Heard Mr. Shubham Agarwal for the petitioner and Mr. Rishi Kumar, learned A.C.S.C. for the respondent authority.
2. The present writ petition is being entertained by this Court at this stage as no G.S.T. Tribunal has been formed in the State of U.P.
3. By means of present petition, the petitioner is assailing the order dated 8.10.2021 and 12.11.2021 passed by respondent nos. 4 and 3 respectively.
4. Brief facts of the case are that the petitioner being registered company incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956 is engaged in the manufacture and sale of cements, wall putty, adhesives etc. The petitioner is duly registered under the GOODS AND SERVICES TAX ACT and paying the taxes as and when its due. In the normal course of business, the petitioner has sent five consignments of J.K. Cement White MaxX Premium White Portland Cement, J.K. Cement WallmaxX putty and J.K. MaxX waterproof Putty and five invoices were also issued. The said goods were transported from Gwalior to Panna, Madhya Pradesh by which two G.R. number i.e. 612 and 611 were also issued in which vehicle number was also mentioned as MP 20 HB4370. The goods on its onward journey from Gwalior to Panna, Madhya Pradesh passes through the State of UP where the said goods were intercepted during transit on the ground that e-way bill was not accompanying the goods. On the said basis, the impugned order was passed under Section 129 (3) of the Act by which the penalty of Rs. 175236/- was imposed under G.S.T. Act, against which the first appeal was preferred, which was also dismissed. Hence the present petition.
5. Learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that petitioner is registered company engaged in the business of aforesaid goods and was also registered under the G.S.T. Act. He submitted that a notification was issued on 14.8.2018 in State of Madhya Pradesh in which it has been provided that only the items mentioned at serial numbers 1 to 11 of the said notification, are required to carry e-way bill during transportation and on the strength of said notification, he submitted that the goods in question during transit, were not required to carry e-way bill on its movement within the State of Madhya Pradesh. He further submitted that it is not in dispute that the goods were accompanying with all requisite documents such as tax invoices and G.R on which no discrepancy whatsoever was found.
6. He further submitted that it is not in dispute that the goods were originated from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh and to be terminated in Panna, Madhya Pradesh and once this fact is admitted by the authorities, the impugned order passed against the petitioner under Section 129 of G.S.T. Act is arbitrary and illegal. He further submitted that the petitioner being a registered company, the proceedings ought to have been initiated under Section 122 (XIV) of GST Act. He further submitted that once there is no discrepancy having been found with regard to quantity, quality or movement of the goods originating from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh and to be terminated at Panna, Madhya Pradesh, the impugned orders are not justified. He prays for allowing the writ petition.
7. Per contra, Mr. Rishi Kumar, learned Additional Chief Standing Counsel supports the impugned order and submitted that the goods in question was not carrying e-way bill which was required to be carried while the goods were in transport. He further submitted that the Notification dated 24.4.2018 is of no help to the petitioner as its reference to the State of Madhya Pradesh and not of State of U.P. He prays for dismissal of this writ petition.
8. The Court has perused the re
The requirement of e-way bills under the U.P. GST Act was unenforceable between 01.02.2018 and 31.03.2018, nullifying associated penalties.
For imposition of penalties under the GST Act, intent to evade tax must be established; mere expiration of documents does not suffice.
For proceedings under section 129 of the UPGST Act, there must be intent to evade tax established; a mere technical breach does not warrant penalties.
Detention and seizure of goods in transit under GST requires clear evidence of contravention; mere discrepancies in documentation cannot justify such actions.
The absence of requisite documentation, such as the E-way Bill, does not justify detention and consequent penalties when prior judicial authority negates such action.
Intent to evade tax is a necessary condition for proceedings under Sections 129 and 130 of the CGST Act; absence of such intent invalidates penalties imposed under these sections.
Production of rectifying documents before detention of goods negates grounds for penalty under GST rules, reaffirming procedural fairness.
Login now and unlock free premium legal research
Login to SupremeToday AI and access free legal analysis, AI highlights, and smart tools.
Login
now!
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
Copyright © 2023 Vikas Info Solution Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.