Apar Industries Limited Vs. UOI (Bombay High Court)
Writ Petition was filed by the Petitioner being aggrieved by the non-payment of interest on the amount of Rs.5.52 crores of refund already granted as well as refund of balance amount along with interest. Petitioner had filed a refund of Rs.52.97 crores along with interest thereon in respect of tax paid on exported goods under section 16 of the IGST Act
Contention of the Revenue that there is a invoice mismatch/error which resulted in delay in refunding amount of Rs.52.52 crores and hence no interest is payable.
The High Court held as under
Circulars and FAQs, inter alia, deal with grant of refund in spite of Invoices mismatch/ error, as indicated by SB005 but do not deal with grant of interest even for the period when there is Invoice mismatch/error – issue of grant of interest for delaying refund does requires factual determination as to the type of Invoices mismatch, who was responsible for the same and who, if any, and how, was the same corrected –
As this exercise would be best done by the adjudicating authorities under the Act after hearing the parties, petition is not entertained –Petitioner advised to make a representation to the adjudicating authority who would consider the same and after hearing the Petitioner, pass a speaking order, preferably within a period of twelve weeks from receipt of the Petitioner’s representation.
FULL TEXT OF THE HIGH COURT JUDGMENT / ORDER IS AS FOLLOWS:
This Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, originally seeks a refund of Rs.52.97 Crores along with interest thereon under Section 56 of the Central Goods & Service Tax Act (the Act). Besides, seeking an interest on delayed refund of Rs. 1.90 Crores which was already granted to the Petitioner. These refunds arose on account of tax paid in respect of exported goods under Section 16 of the Integrated Goods & Service Tax Act, 2017 (IGST Act). During the pendency of this Petition, an amount of Rs.52.52 Crores has already been refunded under the Act read with IGST Act.
2 Thus, the Petitioner’s grievance now is limited to non- payment of interest on the amount of Rs.52.52 Crores of refund already granted to it as well as the refund of the balance amount of Rs.2.35 Crores together with interest thereon. It is the Petitioner’s case that they are not only entitled to refund of tax paid but also interest thereon as provided under Section 56 of the Act, from the expiry of 60 days of filing of the shipping bills, in whch the refund is claimed.
3 As against the above, it is the Respondents’ case, as indicated in affidavit in reply dated 15th October, 2018 of Mr. Balmukund Agarwal, the Asstt. Commissioner of Customs that, there is a invoice mismatch/ error in this case. This has resulted in delay in refunding of the amount of Rs.52.52 Crores. Thus, no interest in the present facts, is payable by the Revenue for the delay in granting the refund as the same is on account of the Petitioner.
4 Mr. Shah, learned Counsel appearing for the Petitioner, disputes the fact that there is any invoice mismatch. Our attention is
invited to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) issued by the Madras Commissionerate dated 23rd February, 2018 wherein an error in respect of Invoice mismatch I.e. SB005, was a subject matter of consideration. Our attention was also invited to the Circular issued by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs dated 23rd February, 2018 wherein again, nongrant of refund, because of mismatch of Invoices, was a subject matter of consideration. In both the cases, it was directed that refund be granted. Therefore, it submitted that in terms of the above the interest as sought should be granted.
5 We find that on oath, the Respondents state that there is an Invoices misatch in respect of the refund sought. Thus, leading to delay in passing the refund. This is disputed by the Petitioner. Besides, the aforesaid Circulars and FAQ, inter alia, deal with grant of refund in spite of Invoices mismatch/ error, as indicated by SB005. The above Circular/ FAQ does not deal with grant of interest even for the period when there Invoice mis matched/ error. Thus, the Circular/ FAQ does not decide the issue, but would require deeper consideration.
6 In these circumstances, we are of the view that, the issue of grant of interest for delaying refund does requires factual determination as to the type of Invoices mis atch, who was responsible for the same and who, if any, and how, was the same corrected. This exercise would be best done by the adjudicating authorities under the Act after hearing the parties.
7 Therefore, we do not entertain this Petition. However, we direct the Petitioner to file a representation to the Adjudicating Authority, who would consider the same and after hearing the Petitioner, pass a speaking order, dealing with the Petitioner’s contention.
