Case Law Details
V.S.K. Traders & Services Vs Assistant Commissioner (ST) (Madras High Court)
Introduction: In a significant development, the Madras High Court has set aside an order cancelling the GST registration of V.S.K. Traders & Services, emphasizing the lack of a reasonable opportunity for the petitioner to present their case. The judgment, dated 23.01.2023, raises concerns about procedural fairness and underscores the importance of due process in administrative actions.
Detailed Analysis: The case revolves around the cancellation of GST registration, effective from 31.12.2022, without providing V.S.K. Traders & Services an adequate chance to be heard. The petitioner contends that, despite regular filing of monthly returns until March 2022, their business faced a setback during the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to a temporary halt in outward supplies for about six months. The cancellation notice came as a shock to the petitioner, who, being a small business, was unaware of the digital show cause notice uploaded on the GST portal.
The court, upon examining the impugned order and considering the contradictory statements within, found the entire process to be mechanical and lacking in fairness. Drawing parallels with a Bombay High Court case (Ahmed Enterprises), where a similar situation led to the quashing of cancellation and restoration of registration, the Madras High Court directed the restoration of GST registration for V.S.K. Traders & Services.
The judgment underscores the need for a reasonable opportunity before drastic measures like cancellation of registration are imposed. The court’s decision aligns with principles of natural justice and ensures that businesses are not adversely affected without proper procedural safeguards. The order allows the respondent to issue a fresh show cause notice, emphasizing compliance with Rule 22(4) of the CGST Rules, within fifteen days from the date of the court’s order.
Conclusion: The Madras High Court’s intervention in the V.S.K. Traders & Services case serves as a beacon for businesses facing abrupt GST registration cancellations. The ruling emphasizes the significance of providing a fair opportunity for businesses to respond to show cause notices, ensuring a more just and transparent administrative process. The impact of this judgment extends beyond the specific case, setting a precedent for similar situations and reinforcing the importance of procedural fairness in the realm of GST regulations. Businesses can find solace in the court’s commitment to upholding the principles of natural justice and the restoration of status quo ante for V.S.K. Traders & Services.
FULL TEXT OF THE JUDGMENT/ORDER OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
The petitioner assails an order of cancellation of registration dated 23.01.2023 with effect from 31.12.2022. The petitioner was a registered person under the GST regime. According to the petitioner, the requisite monthly returns were filed regularly until March 2022. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the petitioner’s business was affected and the petitioner did not have any outward supply for a period of about six months. As the petitioner’s business started improving after the end of the pandemic, it is stated that the petitioner was shocked to be put on notice that the GST registration was cancelled. The present writ petition arises in the said facts and circumstances.
2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the show cause notice was uploaded on the GST portal, but was not otherwise communicated to the petitioner. Being a small business person, the petitioner was unaware of the posting of the show cause notice on the portal. Therefore, the petitioner could not reply to the show cause notice. By inviting my attention to the impugned order, learned counsel points out that the said order was issued mechanically as is evident from the reference to a reply dated 04.10.2022 in the first line followed by the statement in the second line that no reply was given. She also points out that sub-rule (4) of Rule 22 of the CGST Rules enables the authority to drop the proceedings for cancellation, if appropriate remedial action is taken by the registered person.
3. By referring to the judgment of the Bombay High Court in Ahmed Enterprises v. Union of India (Ahmed Enterprises) (2023)13 Centax 209 (Bombay), learned counsel submits that, in nearly identical fact situation, the Bombay High Court quashed the order of cancellation, restored the registration and permitted the GST authorities to take further action in accordance with law. She makes a request that a similar order be issued.
4. K. Mohanamurali, learned SPC, accepts notice on behalf of the respondent. He points out that the GST registration of the petitioner was cancelled in terms of Section 29(2)(b) and (c) of the applicable GST Provisions. Therefore, he submits that no interference is warranted.
5. The question that falls for consideration is whether the petitioner was provided a reasonable opportunity before the drastic order of cancellation of registration was issued. From the show cause notice, it appears that such notice was digitally signed by the Goods and Services Tax Network. When the said show cause notice is read with the impugned order, it is quite evident that the whole process has been undertaken mechanically. As pointed out by learned counsel for the petitioner, lines 1 and 2 of the impugned order are undoubtedly contradictory. Since such impugned order has resulted in great prejudice to the petitioner without the petitioner being provided a reasonable opportunity to respond, the impugned order calls for interference.
6. In the judgment of the Division Bench of the Bombay High Court in Ahmed Enterprises, it was held as under in paragraphs 8 to 10:
“8. In the aforesaid circumstances, we have no manner of doubt that this petition would also be required to be disposed of in terms of what has been held by this Court in the decisions as noted above. The petition is accordingly allowed in terms of prayer clause (a), which reads thus;
“(a) issue an appropriate writ, order, or direction, setting aside the Impugned SCN dated 14.10.2022 and Impugned Order dated 1.11.2022 passed by Respondent No 2 and directing restoration of Petitioner’s GST registration; or
9. The respondents are directed to issue a fresh show cause notice in accordance with law within a period of three weeks from today. The petitioner shall file a reply to the show cause notice within two weeks after receipt of the show cause notice. The designated officer shall thereafter proceed to hear the petitioner and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law.
10. Needless to observe that as the order cancelling registration of the petitioner is quashed and set aside, status-quo ante is to be restored. Accordingly, the registration of the petitioner shall stand restored however subject to the authority of the Department to issue a fresh order in regard to the suspension of the petitioner’s registration as the law may permit.”
7. In the facts and circumstances outlined above, I am inclined to follow the order of the Division Bench of the Bombay High Court.
8. For reasons set out above, this writ petition is allowed on the following terms:
(i) The order dated 23.01.2023 cancelling the petitioner’s GST registration is quashed.
(ii) As a corollary, the respondent is directed to restore the GST registration forthwith.
(iii) It is open to the respondent to issue a fresh show cause notice and take further action in accordance with law after providing a reasonable opportunity to the petitioner. Such show cause notice shall preferably be issued within a period of fifteen days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
(iv) While re-considering the matter, the respondent shall take note of sub-rule 4 of Rule 22 of the CGST Rules.
(v) There shall be no order as to costs.
(vi) Consequently, W.M.P.Nos.440, 443 of 2024 are closed.
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