Partly allowed

Mahalas Construction Pvt. Ltd. v. The State of Bihar

Patna HC4 Aug 2021CWJC/13357/2021

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The Patna High Court quashed an order rejecting a tax appeal on limitation grounds. It remanded the matter to the appellate authority to decide on merits without considering delay, directing de-freezing of petitioner's accounts and a speaking order within two months.

What did the court decide?

Quashed the impugned order; remanded to Appellate Authority to decide on merits; directed de-freezing of bank accounts.

Mahalas Construction Pvt. Ltd. Vs The State of Bihar — Patna HC (2021) — LawSathi Research

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.13357 of 2021

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Mahalas Construction Pvt. Ltd. a company registered under the Companies Act, 1956 having its place of office at Flat no. B/203, Second Floor, ANG Bihar Apartment, Ranitalab, Bhagalpur, Bihar- 813210.

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... ... Petitioner/s

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Versus

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The State of Bihar through the Chief Secretary, Government of Bihar.

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The Department of State Tax, Government of Bihar

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Assistant Joint Commissioner, State Tax Department, Bhagalpur Circle, Government of Bihar

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Commissioner, State Tax Department, Bhagalpur Circle, Government of Bihar.

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... ... Respondent/s

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====================================================== Appearance : For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Neeraj Kumar, Advocate Mr. Abhishek Singh, Advocate Mr.Vaibhava Veer Shanker, Advocate Mr. Sachin Kumar, Advocate Mr. Kumar Saurav, Advocate For the Respondent/s : Mr.Vivek Prasad, GP-7

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CORAM: HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE and HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S. KUMAR ORAL JUDGMENT (Per: HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE)

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(The proceedings of the Court are being conducted by Hon’ble the Chief Justice/Hon’ble Judges through Video Conferencing from their residential offices/residences. Also the Advocates and the Staffs joined the proceedings through Video Conferencing from their residences/offices.)

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Date : 04-08-2021

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Patna High Court CWJC No.13357 of 2021 dt.04-08-2021 2/6

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Petitioner has prayed for the following reliefs: -

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It is brought to our notice that vide impugned order dated 25.02.2021 passed by the Additional Commissioner of State Tax, Bhagalpur in Appeal Case No. BHGST 38/20-21 (ARN -AD100121005746U), the appeal of the petitioner against the order dated 19.03.2020 passed by Respondent No.3 namely The

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Patna High Court CWJC No.13357 of 2021 dt.04-08-2021 3/6

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Assistant Commissioner of State Tax Department, Bhagalpur Circle, Govt of Bihar has been rejected merely on the grounds of being barred by limitation. Both the orders were ex parte in nature.

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In our considered view, the delay stands sufficiently explained on account of COVID restrictions.

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Learned counsel for the Revenue, states that he has no objection if the matter is remanded to the Appellate Authority for deciding the appeal afresh. Also, while considering and deciding the appeal, the ground of delay shall not be taken into account and the appeal shall be decided on merits. Also, during pendency of the appeal, no coercive steps shall be taken against the petitioner.

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Statement accepted and taken on record.

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Having heard learned counsel for the parties as also perused the record made available, we dispose of the present petition in the following mutually agreeable terms:-

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(a) We quash and set aside the impugned order dated 25.02.2021 passed by the Additional Commissioner of State Tax, Bhagalpur in Appeal Case No. BHGST 38/20-21 (ARN -AD100121005746U) against the order dated 19.03.2020 passed by Respondent No.3 namely The Assistant Commissioner of State Tax Department, Bhagalpur Circle, Govt of Bihar ;

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(b) We accept the statement of the petitioner that ten per

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Patna High Court CWJC No.13357 of 2021 dt.04-08-2021 4/6

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cent of the total amount, being condition prerequisite for hearing of the appeal, already stands deposited. If that were so, the appeal shall be decided on merits. However, if the amount is not deposited for whatever reason(s), same shall be done before the next date;

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(c) This deposit shall be without prejudice to the respective rights and contention of the parties and subject to the order passed by the Assessing Officer. However, if it is ultimately found that the petitioner’s deposit is in excess, the same shall be refunded within two months from the date of passing of the order;

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(d) We also direct for de-freezing/de-attaching of the bank account(s) of the writ-petitioner, if attached in reference to the proceedings, subject matter of present petition. This shall be done immediately.

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(e) Petitioner undertakes to appear before the Appellate Authority concerned on 20^th of September, 2021 at 10:30 A.M., if possible through digital mode;

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(f) The Appellate Authority shall condone the delay in filing the appeal and decide the appeal on merits after complying with the principles of natural justice;

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(g) Opportunity of hearing shall be afforded to the

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Patna High Court CWJC No.13357 of 2021 dt.04-08-2021 5/6

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parties to place on record all essential documents and materials, if so required and desired;

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(h) During pendency of the appeal, no coercive steps shall be taken against the petitioner.

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(i) The Appellate Authority shall pass a fresh order only after affording adequate opportunity to all concerned, including the writ petitioner;

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(j) Petitioner through learned counsel undertakes to fully cooperate in such proceedings and not take unnecessary adjournment;

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(k) The Appellate Authority shall decide the appeal on merits expeditiously, preferably within a period of two months from the date of appearance of the petitioner;.

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(l) The Appellate Authority shall pass a speaking order assigning reasons, copy whereof shall be supplied to the parties;

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(m) Liberty reserved to the petitioner to challenge the order, if required and desired;

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(n) Equally, liberty reserved to the parties to take recourse to such other remedies as are otherwise available in accordance with law;

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(o) We are hopeful that as and when petitioner takes

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Patna High Court CWJC No.13357 of 2021 dt.04-08-2021 6/6

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recourse to such remedies, before the appropriate forum, the same shall be dealt with, in accordance with law, with a reasonable dispatch;

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(p) We have not expressed any opinion on merits and all issues are left open;

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(q) If possible, proceedings during the time of current Pandemic [Covid-19] be conducted through digital mode;

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The instant petition sands disposed of in the aforesaid

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terms.

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Interlocutory Application(s), if any, also stands disposed of.

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Learned counsel for the respondents undertakes to communicate the order to the appropriate authority through electronic mode.

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(Sanjay Karol, CJ)

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( S. Kumar, J)

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Ashwini/Sujit/-

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AFR/NAFR
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Mahalas Construction Pvt. Ltd. v. The State of Bihar

Case brief

What is this about?

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Mahalas Construction Pvt. Ltd. v. The State of Bihar

Case brief

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