Remanded

M/S Manoj Kumar Singh v. The Union of India

Patna HC1 Jul 2021CWJC/5652/2021

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The Patna High Court quashed an ex parte summary assessment order issued by the Joint Commissioner of State Tax due to violation of natural justice. The court remanded the matter to the Assessing Authority to decide on merits after affording adequate opportunity of hearing and depositing security.

What did the court decide?

Quashed the impugned ex parte order; remanded to Assessing Authority to decide on merits after affording hearing; directed deposit of security and de-freezing of bank accounts.

M/S Manoj Kumar Singh Vs The Union of… — Constitutional and Fundamental Rights | Patna HC (2021)

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No. 5652 of 2021

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====================================================== Appearance : For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Anurag Saurav, Advocate Mr. Abhinav Alok, Advocate Mr. Priyajeet Pandey, Advocate For the Respondent/s : Mr. Pavan Kumar, Advocate For the Union of India : Dr. K.N. Singh, ASG Mr. Anshuman Singh, Sr. S.C., CGST & CX

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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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Patna High Court CWJC No. 5652 of 2021 dt. 01-07-2021 2/8

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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 ofÏces/residences. Also, the Advocates and the Staffs joined the proceedings through Video Conferencing from their residences/ofÏces.)

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Date : 01-07-2021

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Petitioner has prayed for the following relief(s):

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Patna High Court CWJC No. 5652 of 2021 dt. 01-07-2021 4/8

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Petitioner has filed the instant petition for quashing of the impugned order dated 8^th of February, 2020 passed by the Respondent No. 4 namely the Joint Commissioner of State Tax, Muzaffarpur, West, Tirhut Division, DistrictMuzaffarpur, Bihar, in GSTIN- 10AVTPS4722R1ZU and the summary of the order in Form GST DRC-07 vide Reference No. ZA10032000233611 dated 3^rd of March, 2020, which appear to be ex parte in nature.

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Learned counsel for the Revenue, states that he has no objection if the matter is remanded to the Assessing Authority for deciding the case afresh. Also, the case shall be decided on merits. Also, during pendency of the case, no coercive steps shall be taken against the petitioner.

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Statement accepted and taken on record.

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However, having heard learned counsel for the parties as also perused the record made available, we are of the considered view that this Court, notwithstanding the statutory remedy, is not precluded from interfering where, ex facie , we

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Patna High Court CWJC No. 5652 of 2021 dt. 01-07-2021 5/8

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form an opinion that the order is bad in law. This we say so, for two reasons- (a) violation of principles of natural justice, i.e. Fair opportunity of hearing. No sufficient time was afforded to the petitioner to represent his case; (b) order passed ex parte in nature, does not assign any sufficient reasons even decipherable from the record, as to how the officer could determine the amount due and payable by the assessee. The order, ex parte in nature, passed in violation of the principles of natural justice, entails civil consequences. As such, on this short ground alone, we dispose of the present writ petition in the following mutually agreeable terms:

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(a) We quash and set aside the impugned order dated 8^th of February, 2020 passed by the Respondent No. 4 namely the Joint Commissioner of State Tax, Muzaffarpur, West, Tirhut Division, District- Muzaffarpur, Bihar, in GSTIN10AVTPS4722R1ZU and the summary of the order in Form GST DRC-07 vide Reference No. ZA10032000233611 dated 3^rd of March, 2020;

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(b) We accept the statement of the petitioner that ten per cent of the total amount, being condition prerequisite for hearing of the appeal, already stands deposited. If that were so, well and good. However, if the amount is not deposited for

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whatever reason(s), same shall be done before the next date;

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(c) Further the petitioner undertakes to additionally deposit ten per cent of the amount of the demand raised before the Assessing Officer. This shall be done within four weeks.

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(d) 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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(e) 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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(f) Petitioner undertakes to appear before the Assessing Authority on 9^th of August, 2021 at 10:30 A.M., if possible through digital mode;

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(g) The Assessing Authority shall decide the case on merits after complying with the principles of natural justice;

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(h) Opportunity of hearing shall be afforded to the parties to place on record all essential documents and

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materials, if so required and desired;

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

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

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

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(l) The Assessing Authority shall decide the case on merits expeditiously, preferably within a period of two months from the date of appearance of the petitioner;

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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 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

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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 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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K.C.Jha

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AFR/NAFR CAV DATE Uploading Date 07.07.2021 Transmission Date

M/S Manoj Kumar Singh v. The Union of India

Case brief

What is this about?

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M/S Manoj Kumar Singh v. The Union of India

Case brief

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