Case Law Details
Vikash Kumar Singh Vs Commissioner of State Tax, State of Jharkhand (Jharkhand High Court)
Jharkhand High Court held that show cause notice u/s 73(1) on mismatch in GSTR-3B and GSTR-2A issued on standard format without strucking off unnecessary particulars or without specifying contraventions is termed as vague.
Facts- Common ground taken in all these writ petition is that the show-cause notice does not strike out the relevant particulars and does not even enumerate the contravention which the petitioners have been called upon to reply. These proceedings were initiated allegedly on account of a mismatch in GSTR-3B and GSTR-2A for the period in question and that the petitioners have taken undue ITC to which they were not entitled. Petitioners have also taken a plea that Summary of the Order contained in Form GST DRC-07 imposes 100% penalty which is impermissible under the provisions of Section 73(9) of the Act of 2017. 100% penalty can only be levied in a proceeding u/s. 74 (9) of the Act of 2017. No adjudication order has been uploaded. It is further submitted that proceedings suffer from serious violation of principles of natural justices and the procedure prescribed in law.
Conclusion- We may straightaway point out that notices under section 73(1) of the Act of 2017 at Annexure-2 in the respective writ petitions are in the standard format and neither any particulars have been struck off, nor specific contravention have been indicated to enable the petitioners to furnish a proper reply to defend themselves. The show-cause notices can therefore, be termed as vague.
Levy of penalty of 100% of tax dues reflected in the Summary of the Order contained in Form GST DRC-07 vide Annexure-4 in the respective writ petitions are also in the teeth of the provisions of Section 73(9) of the Act of 2017, wherein while passing an adjudication order, the Proper Officer can levy penalty up to 10% of tax dues only. The above infirmity clearly shows non-application of mind on the part of the Deputy Commissioner, State Tax, Godda Circle, Godda. Proceedings also suffer from violation of principles of natural justice and the procedure prescribed under section 73 of the Act and are in teeth of the judgment rendered by this Court in the case M/s NKAS SERVICES PRIVATE LIMITED.
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