Rectification of GSTR-1 allowed to correct wrong GSTIN (State swap); Manual filing permitted if portal closed

By | December 9, 2025

Rectification of GSTR-1 allowed to correct wrong GSTIN (State swap); Manual filing permitted if portal closed

Issue

Whether a registered taxpayer can be allowed to rectify their GSTR-1 returns for a past period (June 2022 to September 2022) to correct an inadvertent error where the wrong GSTIN (Kerala branch instead of Tamil Nadu branch) of the recipient was reported, thereby enabling the correct recipient to claim Input Tax Credit (ITC).

Facts

  • The Error: The petitioner filed GSTR-1 for the period June 2022 to September 2022. In these returns, they inadvertently uploaded the GSTIN of the recipient’s Kerala branch (Respondent 5) instead of the Tamil Nadu branch (Respondent 4).

  • The Impact: Due to this mismatch (Inter-State vs Intra-State / Wrong Place of Supply), the Tamil Nadu branch (Respondent 4) could not see the credit in their GSTR-2A/2B and consequently could not avail the Input Tax Credit (ITC).

  • Commercial Fallout: As a result of the missing ITC, Respondent 4 withheld dues payable to the petitioner.

  • The Deadlock: The petitioner requested the tax authorities (Respondents 1-3) to allow rectification. When no action was taken, they filed a writ petition seeking permission to amend the returns, arguing that if the online portal does not allow it due to time limits, manual rectification should be permitted.

Decision

  • Justice over Technicality: The High Court observed that since the tax had been collected and remitted, the dispute regarding ITC should not penalize the recipient due to a clerical error. It was deemed “just and appropriate” to permit the rectification to resolve the deadlock.

  • Portal or Manual: The Court directed the tax authorities (Respondents 2 and 3) to allow the necessary amendments to the GSTR-1.

    • Primary Mode: Enable the correction on the portal within four weeks.

    • Alternative Mode: If the portal cannot be opened due to technical/statutory constraints, the authorities must permit manual rectification and process the same to pass on the credit.

  • Scope: The Court clarified it was not expressing an opinion on the commercial disputes between the petitioner and the private respondents (4 and 5) but was only facilitating the compliance correction.

  • Ruling: The Writ Petition was partly allowed in favour of the assessee.

Key Takeaways

Manual Rectification is a Valid Remedy: When the GSTN portal closes the window for rectification (Section 37 time limits), High Courts across India (referencing cases like Star Engineers and Sun Dye Chem) are consistently directing authorities to accept manual corrections for bona fide errors to ensure the recipient gets their legitimate ITC.

Wrong GSTIN/State: Entering the GSTIN of a sister concern (wrong state) is a common error. This judgment reinforces that such “shift of credit” corrections should be allowed even after the financial year closes, as there is no revenue loss to the exchequer (tax is already with the Govt).

HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA
H. R. Carriers
v.
State of Karnataka
S.R.Krishna Kumar, J.
WRIT PETITION NO. 22477 OF 2024
NOVEMBER  4, 2025
Smt. Lakshmi Menon, Adv. for the Petitioner. K. Hema Kumar, AGA, Priyush Ddeshpande and L.S. Karthikeyan, Advs. for the Respondent.
ORDER
1. In this petition, petitioner seeks the following reliefs:
“1. Issue a writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order, or direction directing the Respondent No.2 and 3 authorities to permit the petitioner to carry out necessary amendments to the petitioners GSTR-1 returns in GSTIN 29AAFFH2582PIZQ for the period June 2022 -September 2022 (Annexures-B, B1, B2 And B3) so as to enable the respondent No.4 to claim ITC in accordance with law.
2. Pass any such other orders and directions as this Hon’ble Court may deem fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case.”
2. A perusal of the material on record will indicate that the petitioner is a registered taxpayer, who filed returns in GSTR-1 returns for the tax period from June 2022 to September 2022. It is the specific contention of the petitioner that in the said returns, the petitioner inadvertently uploaded the GSTIN of respondent No.5, which is at Kerala instead of Tamil Nadu Branch, which is at Chennai, as a result of which, the respondent No.4 was not in a position to avail the Input Tax Credit. In this regard, it is contented that the petitioner was completely unaware of the said mistake that had crept in the GSTR-1 returns, till the respondent No.4 addressed an email dated 28.12.2023 to the petitioner inviting its attention regarding the aforesaid error in the GSTR-1 returns and consequently, withheld a sum of Rs.71,26,070/- together with interest of Rs.19,45,219/- from the bills payable to the petitioner. Petitioner contends that after coming to know about the said mistake, the petitioner requested the respondent Nos.1 to 3 vide Annexure-H dated 03.04.2024, requesting permission to rectify/revise the returns already filed for the aforesaid period. Since the respondent Nos.1 to 3 did not take any steps in this regard, petitioner is before this court by way of the present petition seeking directions to the respondent Nos.1 to 3 to permit rectification of the GSTR-1 returns by placing reliance upon the following judgments:
1. NRB Bearings Ltd. v. Commissioner of State Tax (Bombay)/W.P. No. 10771/2023.
2. Sun Dye Chem v. Asstt. Commissioner (ST)  (Madras)/(2021) 84 GSTR 237 (Mad).
3. Pentacle Plant Machineries Pvt. Ltd. v. Office of The GST Council, New Delhi 2021 (52) G.S.T.L. 129 (Madras)/(2022) 107 GSTR 23 (Mad).
4. Star Engineers (I) (P.) Ltd. v. Union of India  (Bombay)/(2024) 123 GSTR 216 (Bom).
5. Aberdare Technologies (P.) Ltd. v. CBDT & Customs  GSTL 6 (Bombay)/(W.P.No7912/2024)
3. The respondent No.4 and respondent No.5 have filed separate statement of objections contesting the petition.
4. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner, learned AGA for respondent Nos.1 to 3 and learned counsel for respondent Nos.4 and 5.
5. In the case of NRB Bearings Ltd. (supra), under identical circumstances, the High Court of Bombay held as under:
“JUDGMENT
1. Rule. Returnable forthwith. Respondents waive service. By consent of the parties, heard finally.
2. This petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India is filed praying for the following reliefs:

“(a) that this Hon’ble Court be pleased to issue a writ of mandamus or writ in the nature of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India calling for the records of the petitioners’ case and after examining the legality and validity thereof, allow the petitioners to rectify the GSTR-I for the period 2017-2018;

(b) that this Hon’ble Court be pleased to declare that respondent No.4 is eligible to avail ITC to the extent of Rs.64,36,188/- denied to them due to clerical error by petitioner.”

3. The case of the petitioner is that the petitioner approached the jurisdictional officer/respondent no. 2 to allow the petitioner to alter/amend the invoice details pertaining to F.Y. 2017-18 in GSTR-1 for the month of December, 2019. The letter is addressed by the petitioner to respondent No.2 to provide the petitioner of an option of amending the said invoices.
4. It is the case of the petitioner that during the pendency of the said application, the petitioner received confirmation from the job workers confirming that they have not availed the input tax credit. On 6 January, 2022, an application was filed before the Central Jurisdictional Commissionerate/respondent no. 4 in relation to the disallowance of credit to respondent no. 4 on account of the mismatch between GSTR-3B and GSTR-2A. It is stated that by communication received by the petitioner on 27 January, 2022, the Central Jurisdictional Commissionerate informed the petitioner that no proceedings had been initiated against respondent no. 4, in this regard as also no communication was received from the State Jurisdictional Commissionerate.
5. The petitioner has also referred to the guidelines which were issued by the State of Maharashtra in its Circular No. 02A of 2022 on the issues arising from ITC claims, in pursuance of which, it is contended that on 9 May, 2022, the petitioner obtained a certificate from its Chartered Accountant, certifying that the petitioner had duly discharged GST on the transaction in dispute. The said certificate was stated to be shared by the petitioner with respondent no. 4 on 23 August, 2022, however, no response was received. It is in these circumstances, the present petition is filed praying for the reliefs as noted hereinabove.
6. The contention of the petitioner that there is no provision either under the CGST Act or under the CGST Rules for rectification of bonafide errors made in GSTR-1. It is contended that there is also no revenue implication in that regard. It is on such premise, as no action was taken on the application of the petitioner so as to permit the petitioner to correct the bonafide error, the petitioner would contend that it is legitimately entitled for reliefs as prayed for.
7. In support of the above contentions, the petitioner has placed reliance on the decision in the case of M/s. Star Engineers (I) Pvt. Ltd. v. Union of India & Ors. dated 14 December, 2023 wherein similar issues had fell for consideration of this Court. The court considering the provisions of the CGST Act had observed that in cases where there was a bonafide error in filing of the return and when there was no loss of revenue caused to the Government/exchequer, the technicalities on any legitimate rectification ought not to come in the way of the assessee, so as to suffer an inadvertent error, which would have a cascading effect. In our opinion, the present situation as brought before the Court is certainly covered as discussed by the Court in Star Engineers (I) Pvt. Ltd. (supra).
8. For the aforesaid reasons, we are of the opinion that the petition needs to be allowed. We accordingly allow the petition by permitting the petitioner to rectify the GSTR-1 for the period 2017-18. Ordered accordingly.
9. Insofar as prayer clause (b) is concerned, all contentions of the parties are expressly kept open. If the petitioner intends to make an application in relation to prayer clause (b), he is entitled to do so as may be permissible in law.
10. Disposed of in the above terms. No costs.”
6. Further, in the case of Aberdare Technologies (P.) Ltd. (supra), under identical circumstances, the High Court of Judicature at Bombay held as under:
“1. On 1” July 2024, the following order came to be passed:

“1. Mr. Chandrashekhar states that he shall appear for Respondent No.1. Ms. Vyas at the request of this Court agrees to appear for Respondent Nos.2 and 3. As regards Respondent No.4, Mr. Sarda, on instructions, states have been served some time in May 2024.

2. Petitioner has filed GST returns within time but after some time in December 2023, realised that there were certain errors with no loss of Revenue to the State. The time prescribed under Section 39(9) of CGST Act states the rectification of such omission or incorrect particulars have to be made on or before 30th day of November, following the end of the financial year to which such details pertained. Mr. Sarda states that because they had missed the deadline, Petitioner made a request in writing to the concerned authorities to permit rectification which has not been granted.

3. Ms. Vyas in fairness informed the Court that there is a judgment of this Court in Writ Petition No. 15368 of 2023 pronounced on 14th December 2023, Star Engineers (I) Pvt. Ltd. v. Union of India & Ors. where the Court has held that if there is no loss of Revenue, amendment / rectification of the Form GSTR-1 should be permitted even if it is made after 30th November. Ms. Vyas requests the matter be stood over by atleast three weeks to enable her to take instructions and file a response affidavit, if advised.

4. Respondents shall file an affidavit-in-reply and serve a copy thereof upon Petitioner’s Advocate by 19th July 2024.

2. There is no dispute that there were certain errors with no loss of revenue to the State in the GST returns filed. Paragraphs 7 to 23 of Star Engineers (I) Pvt Ltd. v. Union of India & ors. reads as under:

“7. Mr. Raichandani, learned Counsel for the petitioner would submit that it was arbitrary for the Deputy Commissioner of State Tax to reject the request of the petitioner to amend or rectify the Form GSTR-1 filed by the petitioner for the period July 2021, November 2021 and January 2022, either Online or by manual means. It is contended that it is not in dispute and as clear from the impugned letter, that there was no loss of revenue to the Government exchequer, however, on a pure technical ground the provisions of GSTR Portal prohibited any adjustment post the due date, the petitioner’s request has been rejected. It is submitted that such technicalities ought not to defeat the requirement of justice. In support of his submissions, Mr. Raichandani has placed reliance on the decision of Madras High Court in M/s. Sun Dye Chem v. Assistant Commissioner (ST) & Ors.; decision of learned Single Judge of the Madras High Court in the case of Pentacle Plant Machineries Pvt. Ltd. v. Office of GST Council & Ors.; decision of the Division Bench of Orissa High Court in Shiva Jyoti Construction v. The Chairperson, Central Board of Excise & Customs and Ors., the decision of Jharkhand High Court in Mahalaxmi Infra Contract Ltd. v. Goods and Services Tax Council and ors. It is submitted that each of these decisions have taken a view that an inadvertent error on the part of the assessee if takes place in filing the details leading to the mismatch of credit, the assessee ought not to be prejudiced from availing the credit, which they otherwise legitimately are entitled to and to that effect the rectification of error ought to be permitted. Accordingly, in such cases a relief was granted to the petitioner. It is, thus, Mr.Raichandani’s submission that the prayer of the petitioner that it be permitted to amend or rectify the Form GSTR-1 for the period in question ought to be granted.

8. On the other hand, Ms. Vyas, learned Counsel for the Revenue while not disputing the factual matrix would submit that no fault can be found in the impugned communication as the provisions of the GST Act itself would not permit the State Tax Officer to accept the request as made by the petitioner for amendment / rectification of Form GSTR-1 which was filed by the petitioner for the period in question. Ms. Vyas has also fairly stated that if the request as made by the petitioner is to be accepted, there is no loss of revenue whatsoever to the public exchequer.

9. Having heard learned Counsel for the parties and having perused the record, there is much substance in the contention as urged on behalf of the petitioner. At the outset we are required to note that insofar as filing of GST returns are concerned, the provisions of Sections 37, 38 and 39 of the Central Goods and Services Tax/Maharashtra Goods and Service Tax, 2017 (for short ‘CGST / MGST, 2017’) are attracted. Section 37 provides for furnishing details of outward supplies. Section 38 provides for furnishing details of inward supplies. Section 39 provides for furnishing of returns. Sub-section (3) of Section 37 provides that any registered person, who has furnished the details under sub-section (1) for any tax period and which have remained unmatched under Section 42 or Section 43, shall, upon discovery of any error or omission therein, rectify such error or omission in such manner as may be prescribed, and shall pay the tax and interest, if any, in case there is a short payment of tax on account of such error or omission, in the return to be furnished for such tax period. The proviso below sub-section (3) stipulates that no rectification of error or omission in respect of the details furnished under sub-section (1) shall be allowed after furnishing of the return under Section 39 for the month of September, following the end of the financial year to which such details pertain, or furnishing of the relevant annual return, whichever is earlier. It would be necessary to note the provisions of Section 37 which reads thus:-

Section 37 Furnishing details of outward supplies 37. (1) Every registered person, other than an Input Service Distributor, a non-resident taxable person and a person paying tax under the provisions of section 10 or section 51 or section 52, shall furnish, electronically, in such form and manner as may be prescribed, the details of outward supplies of goods or services or both effected during a tax period on or before the tenth day of the month succeeding the said tax period and such details shall be communicated to the recipient of the said supplies within such time and in such manner as may be prescribed: Provided that the registered person shall not be allowed to furnish the details of outward supplies during the period from the eleventh day to the fifteenth day of the month succeeding the tax period:

Provided further that the Commissioner may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, by notification, extend the time limit for furnishing such details for such class of taxable persons as may be specified therein:

Provided also that any extension of time limit notified by the Commissioner of central tax shall be deemed to be notified by the Commissioner.

(2) Every registered person who has been communicated the details under subsection (3) of section 38 or the details pertaining to inward supplies of Input Service Distributor under subsection (4) of section 38, shall either accept or reject the details so communicated, on or before the seventeenth day, but not before the fifteenth day, of the month succeeding the tax period and the details furnished by him under sub-section (1) shall stand amended accordingly.

(3) Any registered person, who has furnished the details under sub-section (1) for any tax period and which have remained unmatched under section 42 section 43, shall, upon discovery of any error or omission therein, rectify such error or omission in such manner as may be prescribed, and shall pay the tax and interest, if any, in case there is a short payment of tax on account of Such error or omission, in the return to be furnished for such tax period: Provided that no rectification of error or omission in respect of the details furnished under sub-Section (1) shall be allowed after furnishing of the return under section 39 for the month of September following the end of the financial year to which such details pertain, or furnishing of the relevant annual return, whichever is earlier:

[Provided further that the rectification of error or omission in respect of the details furnished under sub-section (1) shall be allowed after furnishing of the return under section 39 for the month of September, 2018 till the due date for furnishing the details under sub-section (1) for the month of March, 2019 or for the quarter January, 2019 to March, 2019.]

Explanation. For the purposes of this Chapter, the expression “details of outward supplies” shall include details of invoices, debit notes, credit notes and revised invoices issued in relation to outward supplies made during any tax period.”

10. We may also observed that Section 38 provides for communication of details of inward supplies and input tax credit which in sub-section (1) mandates that the details of outward supplies furnished by the registered persons under sub-section (1) of section 37 and of such other supplies as may be prescribed, and an auto-generated statement containing the details of input tax credit shall be made available electronically to the recipients of such supplies in such form and manner, within such time, and subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be prescribed. Sub-section (2) provides for the ingredients of auto-generated statement.
11. Section 39 provides for furnishing of returns under which it is clearly provided that a return is required to be furnished electronically indicating the inward and outward supplies of goods and services or both, input tax credit availed, tax payable, tax paid or such other particulars in such form and manner, and within such time, as may be prescribed. Subsection (9) although provides for rectification of any omission or incorrect particulars, the proviso therein precludes the assessee from any such rectification or omission or incorrect particulars being allowed after 30th day of November following the end of financial year to which such details pertain, or the actual date of furnishing of relevant annual return, whichever is earlier. Sub-section (10) provides for extension of time in the event the assessee has not furnished the return for one or more previous tax period or has not furnished the details of outward supplies as per sub-section (1) of section 37 in the said tax period. Sub-section (9) and (10) of Section 39 are required to be noted which read thus:-

“Section 39. Furnishing of returns –

(1)-(7)**

(8) Every registered person who is required to furnish a return under sub-section (1) or subsection (2) shall furnish a return for every tax period whether or not any supplies of goods or services or both have been made during such tax period.

(9) Where any registered person after furnishing a return under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) or sub- section (3) or subsection (4) or sub-section (5) discovers any omission or incorrect particulars therein, other than as a result of scrutiny, audit, inspection or enforcement activity by the tax authorities, he shall rectify such omission or incorrect particulars in the return to be furnished for the month or quarter during which such omission or incorrect particulars 6[in such form and manner as may be prescribed], subject to payment of interest under this Act:

Provided that no such rectification of any omission or incorrect particulars shall be allowed after the 7[thirtieth day of November] following 8[the end of the financial year to which such details pertain], or the actual date of furnishing of relevant annual return, whichever is earlier.

(10) A registered person shall not be allowed to furnish a return for a tax period if the return for any of the previous tax periods 9[or the details of outward supplies under sub-section (1) of section 37 for the said tax period has not been furnished by him:

Provided that the Government may, on the recommendations of the Council, by notification, subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be specified. therein, allow a registered person or a class of registered persons to furnish the return, even if he has not furnished the returns for one or more previous tax periods or has not furnished the details of outward supplies under sub-section (1) of section 37 for the said tax period.”

12. Having considered the statutory ambit of Section 37, 38 and 39, we are of the clear opinion that the provisions of subsection (3) of Section 37 read with Section 38 and subsections (9) and (10) of Section 39 need to be purposively interpreted. We cannot read sub-section (3) of Section 37 to mean that the assessee would be prevented from placing the correct position and having accurate particulars in regard to all the details in the GST returns being filed by the assessee and that there would not be any scope for any bonafide, and inadvertent rectification / correction. This would pre- supposes that any inadvertent error which had occurred in filing of the returns, once is permitted to be rectified, any technicality not making a window for such rectification, ought not to defeat the provisions of sub-section (3) of Section 37 read with the provisions of sub-section (9) of Section 39 read de hors the provisos.
13. In our opinion, the proviso ought not to defeat the intention of the legislature as borne out on a bare reading of sub- section (3) of Section 37 and sub-section (9) of Section 39 in the category of cases particulars in filing of returns, accompanied with the fact that there is when there is a bonafide and inadvertent error in furnishing any in permitting the correction of mistake. Any contrary interpretation of subsection (3) of Section 37 read with sub-sections (9) and (10) of Section 39 would lead to absurdity and/or bring a regime that GST returns being maintained by the department having incorrect particulars become sacrosanct, which is not what is acceptable to the GST regime, wherein every aspect of the returns has a cascading effect. This is necessarily required to be borne in mind when considering the cases of inadvertent human errors creeping into the filing of GST returns.
14. Applying such principles to the facts of the present case, in our opinion, the State Tax Officer had all materials before it which went to show that there was nothing illegal and/or that what had happened at the end of the petitioner was that the invoices generated by the petitioner under the bill-to-ship-to-model for delivery of goods to third party vendors of BAL of which input tax credit for the invoices in question, were not availed by BAL due to error of credit not being reflected in the GSTR-1, as the petitioner had mentioned GSTIN of third party instead of GSTIN of BAL. This is also accepted by the State Tax Officer in the impugned communication.
15. As a result of the above discussion, in our opinion, the State Tax officer ought to have granted the petitioner’s request to rectify /amend the Form GSTR-1 for the period July 2021, November 2021 and January 2022, either through Online or manual means.
16We also find that the petitioner’s reliance on the decision as noted by us is quite apposite. In Sun Dye Chem v. Assistant Commissioner (supra), learned Single Judge of the Madras High Court considered a similar case wherein an error was committed by the petitioner in filing of details relating to credit. The error was to the effect that what should have figured in the CGST/SGST column was inadvertently reflected in the IGST column. It was not the case of the department that the error was deliberate and was intended to gain any undue benefit by the petitioner and in fact, by reason of the error, the customers of the petitioner were denied credit which they claim to be legitimately entitled to. It was also an error which was not initially noted by the petitioner, and on account of the error, the customers of the petitioner would be denied credit which they claimed to be legitimately entitled to, owing to the fact that the credit stands reflected in the wrong column. It is in these circumstances, after examining the relevant provisions which we have already discussed, the learned Single Judge observed that in the absence of an enabling mechanism, the assessee should not be prejudiced from availing credit which they are otherwise legitimately entitled to. The Court observed that an error committed by the petitioner is an inadvertent human error and the petitioner should not be prevented from rectifying the same and accordingly, allowed the petition.
17. A similar view was taken in the Pentacle Plant Machineries Pvt. Ltd. (supra) which also followed the decision in Sun Dye Chem (supra).
18. We also note that the Division Bench of the Orissa High Court in Shiva Jyoti Construction (supra) was considering the case wherein the petitioner had prayed for a relief that the petitioner be permitted to rectify the GST returns filed in September 2017 and March 2018 which was filed inadvertently in Form-B2B instead of Form B2C as was wrongly filed under the GSTR-1 in order to get input tax credit benefit by a third party namely M/s. Odisha Construction Corporation Ltd. The last date for filing of return was 31 March 2019 and the rectification should have been carried out by 13 April 2019. The petitioner contended that an error came to be noticed after the said third party held up the running bill amount of the petitioner by informing it of the error on 21 January 2020. The petitioner contended that thereafter it was making a request to the department to correct the GSTR-1 form, but it was not allowed. It is in these circumstances, the Court considering the fact that in permitting the petitioner to rectify such error, there was no loss of revenue whatsoever to the department, that it was only about the ITC benefit which was to be given to the customer of the petitioner, failing which a prejudice would be caused to the petitioner. The Division Bench referring to the decision in Sun Dye Chem (supra) granted the prayer of the petitioner for setting aside the letter of rejection as impugned in the proceedings and permitting the petitioner to resubmit the corrected returns in Form B2B under GSTR-1 for the period in question.
19. The Division Bench of the Jharkhand High Court in Mahalaxmi Infra Contract Ltd. (supra) has taken a similar view wherein the Division Bench after considering the rival contentions and the scheme of the legislation, allowed the petition considering the fact that there was no loss of revenue, if such rectification as prayed for by the petitioner was to be granted.
20. On the interpretation of the provisions as made by us and the common thread running through the decisions as noted above, it would lead us to observe that the GST regime as contemplated under the GST Law unlike the prior regime, has evolved a scheme which is largely based on the electronic domain. The diversity, in which the traders and the assessees in our country function, with the limited expertise and resources they would have, cannot be overlooked, in the expectation the present regime would have in the traders / assesses complying with the provisions of the GST Laws. There are likely to be inadvertent and bonafide human errors, in the assessees adopting themselves to the new regime. For a system to be understood and operate perfectly, it certainly takes some time. The provisions of law are required to be alive to such considerations and it is for such purpose the substantive provisions of sub-section (3) of Section 37 and sub-section (9) of Section 39 minus the proviso, have permitted rectification of inadvertent errors.
21. We may also observe that the situation like in the present case, was also the situation in the proceedings before the different High Courts as noted by us above, wherein the errors of the assessee were inadvertent and bonafide. There was not an iota of an illegal gain being derived by the assessees. In fact, the scheme of the GST laws itself would contemplate correct data to be available in each and every return of tax, being filed by the assessees. Any incorrect particulars on the varied aspects touching the GST returns would have serious cascading effect, prejudicial not only to the assessee, but also to the third parties.
22. It is considering such object and the ground realities, the law would be required to be interpreted and applied by the Department. This necessarily would mean, that a bonafide, inadvertent error in furnishing details in a GST return needs to be recognized, and permitted to be corrected by the department, when in such cases the department is aware that there is no loss of revenue to the Government. Such freeplay in the joint requires an eminent recognition. The department needs to avoid unwarranted litigation on such issues, and make the system more assessee friendly. Such approach would also foster the interest of revenue in the collection of taxes.
23. In the aforesaid circumstances, we have no manner of doubt that the petition is required to be allowed. It is accordingly allowed by the following order:-
ORDER
(1) The respondents are directed to permit the petitioner to amend /rectify the Form GSTR-1 for the period July 2021, November 2021 and January 2022, either through Online or manual means within a period of four weeks from today.
(II) Petition stands disposed of in the above terms. No costs.”
3. The facts of this case before us is almost identical in as much as, there is no loss to revenue if, petitioner is permitted to amend the GST returns filed.
4. In the circumstances, we direct respondents to open the portal within one week from the date of this order being uploaded and inform petitioner to enable them to amend / rectify Form GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B within one week. If the portal is not opened for whatever reasons, petitioner shall file application to amend / rectify Form GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B manually and respondent nos.2 and 3 are directed to accept and process the same in accordance with law. If these respondents are going to take a stand contrary to petitioner’s interest, they shall give notice to petitioner atleast five working days in advance and give personal hearing.
5. Petition disposed.”
7. As can be seen from the aforesaid judgments, after having permitted the petitioner therein to carry out necessary corrections to the GSTR-1 returns, all rival contentions between the petitioner and the private respondents were kept open by the Division Bench of the Bombay High Court.
8. Under these circumstances, having regard to the fact that the claim of the petitioners as against respondent Nos.4 and 5 have been seriously disputed and denied by the respondent Nos.4 and 5, I deem it just and appropriate to dispose of this petition directing the respondent Nos.1 to 3 to permit the petitioner to carry out necessary amendments to the GSTR-1 returns within a period 4 weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
9. In the result, I pass the following:
ORDER
(a)Writ petition is hereby partly allowed.
(b)Respondent No.2 and respondent No.3 are directed to permit the petitioner to carry out necessary amendments to the petitioner’s GSTR-1 returns in GSTIN 29AAFFH2582PIZQ for the period June 2022 -September 2022 (Annexures-B, B1, B2 and B3) so as to enable the respondent No.4 to claim ITC in accordance with law.
(c)All rival contentions and claims between the petitioner and respondents Nos.4 and 5 are kept open and no opinion is expressed on the same.
(d)If the respondent No.2 and respondent No.3 are not in a position to open the portal for any reason under any circumstances whatsoever, the respondent No.3 and respondent No.4 are directed to permit the petitioner to rectify Form GSTR-1 manually and respondent No.2 and respondent No.3 are directed to accept and process the same in accordance with law.
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About CA Satbir Singh

Chartered Accountant having 12+ years of Experience in Taxation , Finance and GST related matters and can be reached at Email : Taxheal@gmail.com