Was the short point for determination about the validity of the Arbitrary Cancellation of G.S.T Registration?

Case Title

DRS Wood Products vs State Of U.P and Others

Court

 Allahabad High Court 

Honorable Judges

Justice Pankaj Bhatia

Citation

2022 (8) GSTPanacea 145 HC Allahabad

WRIT – C No. – 21692 of 2022

Judgement Date

05-August- 2022

Council for Petitioner

Mr. Alok Singh and Suyash Agarwal

Council for Respondent

Mr. C.S.C.,Digvijay Nath Dubey

The High Court of Allahabad, Lucknow bench of Justice Pankaj Bhatia, J., quashed the order passed by authorities and it further imposed a cost of Rs.50,000/- on the State Government for harassing the petitioner.

Facts of the Case

The authorities issued a Show Cause Notice (SCN) to the petitioner for cancellation of registration on the ground that petitioner is not functioning / non-existing at the principal place of business. It passed an order of cancellation of registration after noting no reply to SCN from the petitioner. The petitioner got to know that its registration has been cancelled during the generation the E Way Bill (i.e. no communication for cancellation of registration was received by the petitioner). The petitioner applied for the revocation of cancellation of registration along with the extension of time to submit its reply to SCN. The officer rejected the application for revocation of registration without considering the petitioner’s request.

Court Held

On filing the petition before the Hon’ble Allahabad High Court, it was noted that authorities have not relied upon any report or any inquiry conducted to form the opinion and on what basis was the allegation levelled that the tax payer was found non-functioning. The rejection order does not indicate as to when the inspection was carried. The High Court held that a vague SCN without any allegation or proposed evidence against the petitioner, clearly is violative of principles of administrative justice. The actions are clearly not in consonance with the ease of doing business, which is being promoted at all levels. In view of the above, the High Court has quashed the order passed by authorities and it further imposed a cost of Rs.50,000/- on the State Government for harassing the petitioner.

Analysis of the Judgement

By noticing the above order we analyse that the G.S.T Authorities before cancellation of G.S.T Registration shall ensure due conscience and pure application of mind. G.S.T Authorities shall also ensure that a suitable opportunity is given to the concerned applicant before issuing an order of cancellation of G.S.T Registration of the applicant.

 Download PDF:

DRS Wood Products

For Reference Visit:

Allahabad High Court