BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 10.02.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY & W.M.P(MD)No.2980 of 2026 Tvl Koshik World Represented by its Proprietor R.Rashraj GSTIN 33EWQPR8588J1ZC No. 18-70, Arul Raj Katapuzhivilai, Karungal Post- 629157 ... Petitioner Vs.

The State Tax Officer, Thuckalay-2 Assessment Circle Commercial Taxes Buildings Nagercoil.

... Respondent Prayer:

Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for records in assessment orders issued by the respondent in GSTIN33EWQPR8588 J1ZC for the assessment year 2021-22 dated 18.06.2025 and quash the same as illegal, arbitrary and in violation of the principles of natural justice, and direct the respondent to pass assessment order afresh after affording an opportunity of being heard within such time as may be directed by this Honble Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.Sudalai Muthu N For Respondent : Mr.R.Suresh Kumar, AGP

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed challenging the impugned assessment order dated 18.06.2025 passed by the respondent.

2. Mr.R.Suresh Kumar, learned Additional Government Pleader, takes notice on behalf of the respondent.

3. By consent of the parties, the main petition is taken up for disposal at the stage of admission itself.

4. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that in this case, after the receipt of notice in DRC-01 dated 12.09.2024, the petitioner had filed his reply and participated in the personal hearing before the respondent. Thereafter, the impugned assessment order was passed on 18.06.2025. Subsequent to the said order, entire disputed tax amount was recovered from the petitioner. However, now, aggrieved over the interest and penalty imposed by the respondent, the petitioner is intend to file an appeal against the said assessment order.

5. Further, he would submit that though the assessment order was passed on 18.06.2025, due to the negligence on the part of the petitioner's consultant, the petitioner remained unaware of the said order and hence, he was not in a position to file an appeal within the prescribed time limit. Hence, he requests this Court to condone the delay and grant liberty to file an appeal against the assessment order.

6. On the other hand, the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondent would submit that in this case, the petitioner had duly filed their reply for the show cause notice and also participated in the personal hearing. However, now, he is taking a stand that he is not aware of the assessment order. Having filed the reply and participated in the personal hearing, now, it is not proper for the petitioner to make such a plea and thus, he would contend that the reason assigned for delay in filing the appeal is not acceptable. Hence, he prays for dismissal of this petition.

7. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondent and also perused the entire materials available on record.

8. In the case on hand, after the receipt of notice in DRC-01 dated

12.09.2024, the petitioner had filed his reply and participated in the personal hearing. Thereafter, the impugned assessment order was passed on 18.06.2025. Subsequent to the said order, entire disputed tax amount was recovered from the petitioner. However, now, aggrieved over the interest and penalty imposed by the respondent, the petitioner is intend to file an appeal against the said assessment order. According to the petitioner, due to the negligence on the part of the petitioner's consultant, he remained unaware of the said order and hence, he was not in a position to file an appeal within the prescribed time limit.

9. However, as rightly contended by the respondent, having filed the reply and participated in the personal hearing, now, it is not proper for the petitioner to make a plea that he is not aware of the uploading of assessment order and hence