Timely compliance with tax assessment orders is crucial; delay in filing appeals must be substantiated with valid reasons.

[Judgment of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.)

Challenging the order of the learned Single Judge dated 10.02.2026, made in W.P.(MD) No. 3685 of 2026, by which the writ petition was dismissed, the appellant has preferred the present writ appeal.

2.The writ petitioner/appellant had originally filed the writ petition challenging the assessment order dated 18.06.2025. According to the appellant, upon receipt of the notice in DRC-01 dated 12.09.2024, he submitted his reply and participated in the personal hearing conducted by the respondent. Thereafter, the impugned assessment order came to be passed on 18.06.2025. However, the appellant was unable to file a statutory appeal within the prescribed time limit due to certain medical issues. Hence, he approached this Court by way of a writ petition, also challenging the levy of interest and penalty imposed by the respondent.

3. It is pertinent to note that the appellant had actively participated in the assessment proceedings, and the order was duly uploaded on the GST portal in accordance with Section 169 of the GST Act. Pursuant to the said assessment order, the appellant has also remitted the disputed tax amount. The writ petition was thus filed only insofar as it relates to the challenge against the interest and penalty, along with a request for condonation of delay in preferring the appeal.

4. The learned Single Judge, upon consideration of the facts, found that the reasons assigned for the delay were not bona fide. Having participated in the proceedings and complied with the assessment order by making payment, the appellant has not established sufficient cause for condonation of delay in filing the appeal.

5. We find that the learned Single Judge has rightly dismissed the writ petition, and we do not find any valid ground warranting interference with the said order. Accordingly, the writ appeal stands dismissed. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.