Case Law Details
Global Construction (A Proprietorship Firm) Vs Union of India (Jharkhand High Court)
The appeal has been rejected by the Commissioner (Appeals), Central Goods & Services Tax and Central Excise, Ranchi only on the point of limitation since it was preferred after almost 2 years and 9 months on 29.09.2021. Under Section 85 of the Finance Act, 1994 the statutory limit of 60 days is prescribed for preferring an appeal. The delay, if any, is condonable up to 30 days beyond the period of 60 days under Section 85(3A) of the Act. However, two facts emerge from the pleadings on records which cannot be ignored: first that the certified copy of the impugned order was provided to the appellant on 19th December 2020 by the Adjudication Branch of Central Goods & Services Tax and Central Excise, Ranchi which means that by that time the relaxation of limitation period as per the directions of the Apex Court in Suo Motu Writ Petition (Civil) No. 03/2020 had commenced due to the COVID lockdown. The other fact which emerges from the information obtained under RTI vide Annexure-11 from the office of the Principal Commissioner, Central Goods & Services Tax and Central Excise, Ranchi dated 24th January 2022 is that the booking journal or the track consignment report of the speed post does not contain the complete address of the petitioner. The relevant details at serial no.5 of the booking journal are extracted hereunder :-