Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. v. the State of Maharashtra Thr Government Pleader and Ors.
Case brief
What is this about?
Maharashtra cess levy in lieu of octroi; NMMC Cess Officer best-judgment assessment (Form-I) and demand notice (Form-J); Rule 25 of the Cess Rules 1996 - three-year assessment completion, Rule 25(5) limitation; delayed/belated adjudication of Form-H show cause notice beyond ten years renders assessment liable to be quashed as unreasonable; violation of natural justice and prejudice to assessee from protracted administrative delay; Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. refinery-to-Vashi-Terminal pipeline petroleum products; goods exported outside municipal area 90% cess not payable; Siemens Limited v. State of Maharashtra (WP 3124/2020, 03.05.2023) followed; NMMC Review Petition 23/2024 rejected 12.02.2026; ATA Freight Line 2022(3) BCR 20; Coventry Estates (2023) 10 Centax 38 (Bom.); UPL Ltd. WP 3063/2021; Article 226 writ of mandamus Bombay High Court 2026.
What did the court decide?
Rule made absolute in terms of prayer clauses (a) and (b) of WP 637/2024, i.e., declaration that the assessment order dated 21.08.2023 is barred by limitation as per Rule 25(5) of the Cess Rules and as held in Siemens Limited (ten-year delay); Writ Petitions No. 638/2024 and No. 639/2024 allowed in similar terms; no costs.