Accused entitled to bail in GST evasion case where investigation is complete and trial pending.

By | August 10, 2026
0 Comment
Accused entitled to bail in GST evasion case where investigation is complete and trial pending.

Issue

Whether an accused proprietor charged with GST evasion under Section 132 of the CGST/UPGST Act, 2017 is entitled to grant of bail when investigation is completed, the offences are compoundable, and trial is unlikely to conclude soon.

Facts

  • Nature of Business & Allegations: The applicant, proprietor of an areca nut trading firm, was prosecuted under Section 132 for alleged clandestine clearances and issuing bogus retail invoices.
  • Modus Operandi Alleged: The complaint alleged B2B supplies to pan masala manufacturers without invoices and routing cash via brokers, while issuing B2C cash invoices at adjusted values to reconcile stocks.
  • Status of Investigation & Trial: The investigation was completed and a complaint was filed before the Magistrate, but trial had not commenced and charges were yet to be framed.
  • Tax Evasion & Assessment: The precise amount of alleged tax evasion was undisclosed, and formal tax assessment proceedings had not yet commenced.
  • Custody & Antecedents: The applicant had no prior criminal history and remained in continuous judicial custody during the proceedings.

Decision

  • Presumption of Innocence: Pre-conviction detention cannot be punitive in nature; bail remains the rule and jail is the exception.
  • No Risk Factors: The prosecution failed to produce material indicating any risk of the applicant absconding, tampering with evidence, intimidating witnesses, or subverting justice.
  • Triable by Magistrate: The alleged offences are compoundable, triable by a Magistrate, and carry a maximum sentence of five years.
  • Pending Assessment: The outcome of the pending tax assessment could bear upon the criminal prosecution, even though both proceedings are legally independent.
  • Final Verdict: Since the investigation was completed and the trial was unlikely to conclude soon, the applicant made out a fit case for bail. The bail application was allowed in favor of the assessee.

Key Takeaways

  • Bail as a General Rule in Tax Offences: In economic offences under GST punishable with up to five years, pre-trial detention cannot be extended indefinitely once investigation is complete.
  • Impact of Completed Investigation: When a formal complaint is filed and custody is no longer required for interrogation, continued incarceration violates the right to a speedy trial.
  • Relevance of Assessment Proceedings: Although civil tax assessment and criminal prosecution under Section 132 are independent, the determination of actual tax evasion in assessment carries persuasive weight in criminal proceedings.
HIGH COURT OF ALLAHABAD
Shivam Dwivedi
v.
Union of India
Vikram D. Chauhan, J.
CRIMINAL MISC. BAIL APPLICATION No.15773 of 2026
JULY  21, 2026
Prashant Vyas and Shubham Agrawal, Sr. Adv. for the Applicant. Dhananjay Awasthi, GA for the Respondent.
ORDER
1. Heard Sri G.S. Chaturvedi, learned Senior Counsel assisted by Sri Prashant Vyas and Sri Shubham Agrawal, learned counsels for the applicant, Sri Dhananjay Awasthi, learned counsel for the D.G.G.I. and learned A.G.A. for the State.
2. The applicant is prosecuted under Section 132(1)(a), 132(1)(b) and 132(1)(i) of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017.
3. The prosecution case as per the complaint preferred before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Meerut, it is alleged that M/s Kamadgiri Trading Company purchased Areca Nuts in bulk from Assam and Karnataka and were rooted to the godowns of the firm. The applicant is the Proprietor of M/s Kamadgiri Trading Company. The major recipient of M/s Kamadgiri Trading Company were trading firms namely M/s Ganga Trading Company whereas M/s Ganga Trading Company declaring B2C sale issued invoices to other trading firms namely M/s Kamtanathji Traders. It is emerged from discrete verification that these firms had no retail infrastructure of point of sale to support B2C sales of the volume stated in para-2.2 of the complaint preferred before the court concerned. The aforesaid firms appear to have material for B2C sales through the firms above mentioned to prevent identification of real B2B recipients.
4. Learned Senior Counsel appearing for the applicant submits that as per prosecution case M/s Kamadgiri Trading Company made purchases of Rs. 545.99 crores of Areca Nuts from one supplier M/s Maa Kamakhya Traders. On scrutiny of the creditor’s ledger account it is noticed that firm has outstanding balance of Rs. 3,95,54,95,341/- pending for payment to the main supplier as on 30.6.2025. As per the GST law, ITC can only be availed if the buyer have been paid the value of the supply along with the tax payable to the supplier within a period of 180 days from the date of issuance of invoices by supplier. The goods reaching godowns are physically cleared away to pan masala manufacturing units or their linked transporters without issuance of tax invoices and without declaration of GST returns. After physical removal of goods, the firms generated B2C cash sales invoices of less than Rs. 50,000/- per invoice not linked to any identifiable buyer. These B2C sales were declared at adjusted and artificial values solely to reconcile book stocks with the already cleared physical stock. The payment mechanism was structured entirely outside the formal banking system at the transaction level. Sale proceeds from actual buyers were received in cash and payment receipts were routed through brokers.
5. Learned Senior Counsel appearing for the applicant further submits that the Investigating Agency-complainant had recorded the statement of the applicant and Sanjeet Kumar (Proprietor, M/s Ganga Trading Company and Key Managing Person of M/s Kamadgiri Trading Company and M/s Kamtanath Ji Traders.
6. Learned Senior Counsel appearing for the applicant further submits that as per the prosecution, the applicant has committed offence under Section 132(1)(a) of the C.G.S.T. Act by clandestine clearance of goods with proprietorship firm to pan masala manufacturers without issuing invoices. Further, the applicant is also alleged to have committed offence under section 132(1)(b) of C.G.S.T. Act by issuing invoices without supply to fake retail customers. Further, applicant is alleged to be involved under Section 132(1)(f) of C.G.S.T. Act by creating ossification of financial records by indulging in fake B2C sales, fake cash in hand with the intent to evade payment of tax. The prosecution is based on the books of account maintained by the applicant and the statement of the applicant during investigation and the fact that the stocks were not found as per the books of accounts. The applicant has no criminal history. Applicant is languishing in jail since 1.2.2026 and in case he is released on bail, he will not misuse the liberty of bail and will cooperate in the trial.
7. Learned counsel for the D.G.G.I. has opposed the bail application and submits that applicant has supplied the goods to pan masala manufacturer without invoice and have also issued invoices without supply of goods. It is further submitted that investigation is completed and the complaint has been filed. Learned counsel for the D.G.G.I. does not dispute the fact that till date trial has not commenced.
8. It is to be seen that in the present case the main allegation against the applicant is that actual supply of goods have been made from B2B invoices that is to the pan masala manufacturers whereas the invoices have been issued in the name of retail customers. The amount of tax evasion has not been disclosed in the application/complaint. It is further to be noted that the tax assessment in respect of the default of the applicant is yet to be assessed by the GST department. It is not in dispute between the parties that the tax evasion is compoundable in nature. The investigation has been completed and the complaint has been preferred before the court concerned. No other criminal history of the applicant has been pointed out. The prosecution evidence primarliy rests upon the documentary evidence, tally data, and the statement of the accused person.
9. It is not in dispute that till date proceedings under Sections 73 and 74 of CGST Act has not been initiated. The said proceedings are in the nature of assessment proceedings in respect of alleged violation where show cause notice can be issued to tax payer. Although criminal prosecution is not barred and are independent proceedings. However, where in assessment proceedings, it is found that taxpayer has not violated any law, the same may have bearing on the criminal prosecution.
10. The liberty guaranteed by Part III of the Constitution would cover within its protective ambit not only due procedure and fairness but also access to justice and a speedy trial. There is a presumption of innocence in favour of accused pending trial. The ultimate justification for such deprivation of liberty can only be, the accused being found guilty of the offences for which they have been charged. If such a finding is not likely to be arrived at within a reasonable time some relief becomes necessary. Timely delivery of justice is part of human rights and denial of speedy justice is a threat to public confidence in the administration of justice. No material has been shown by State to demonstrate that the conduct of applicant while in jail would disentitle the applicant to be released on bail.
11. It is well settled that at pre-conviction stage, there is presumption of innocence. The object of keeping a person in custody is to ensure his availability to face the trial and to receive the sentence that may be passed. The detention (pending trial) is not supposed to be punitive. Delay in commencement and conclusion of trial is a factor to be taken into account and the accused cannot be kept in custody for indefinite period if trial is not likely to be concluded within reasonable time.
12. In Sanjay Chandra v. CBI (2012) 1 SCC 40 Hon’ble Supreme Court has held that accused cannot be in jail during trial as a punitive measure for his conduct, In this respect paragraph 21, 22 and 23 of Sanjay Chandra (supra) is quoted herein below:-
“21. In bail applications, generally, it has been laid down from the earliest times that the object of bail is to secure the appearance of the accused person at his trial by reasonable amount of bail. The object of bail is neither punitive nor preventative. Deprivation of liberty must be considered a punishment, unless it is required to ensure that an accused person will stand his trial when called upon. The courts owe more than verbal respect to the principle that punishment begins after conviction, and that every man is deemed to be innocent until duly tried and duly found guilty.
22. From the earliest times, it was appreciated that detention in custody pending completion of trial could be a cause of great hardship. From time to time, necessity demands that some unconvicted persons should be held in custody pending trial to secure their attendance at the trial but in such cases, “necessity” is the operative test. In this country, it would be quite contrary to the concept of personal liberty enshrined in the Constitution that any person should be punished in respect of any matter, upon which, he has not been convicted or that in any circumstances, he should be deprived of his liberty upon only the belief that he will tamper with the witnesses if left at liberty, save in the most extraordinary circumstances.
23. Apart from the question of prevention being the object of refusal of bail, one must not lose sight of the fact that any imprisonment before conviction has a substantial punitive content and it would be improper for any court to refuse bail as a mark of disapproval of former conduct whether the accused has been convicted for it or not or to refuse bail to an unconvicted person for the purpose of giving him a taste of imprisonment as a lesson.”
13. It is trite law that personal liberty cannot be taken away except in accordance with the procedure established by law. Personal liberty is a constitutional guarantee. However, Article 21 which guarantees the above right also contemplates deprivation of personal liberty by procedure established by law. Under the criminal laws, a person accused of offences which are non-bailable is liable to be detained in custody during pendency of trial unless he is enlarged on bail in accordance with law. Such detention cannot be questioned as being violative of Article 21 since the same is authorised by law. But even persons accused of non-bailable offences are entitled to bail if the court concerned comes to the conclusion that prosecution has failed to establish a prima facie case against him and/or if the court is satisfied for reasons to be recorded that in spite of existence of prima facie case there is a need to release such person on bail where fact situations require it to do so.
14. Article 21 of Constitution provides that no person will be deprived of his life or liberty except by procedure established by law. The procedure established by law should be just, fair and reasonable. The presumption of innocence is applicable to under trial accused. Even if prima facie case is made out, the constitutional Court while considering the bail application are required to examine whether it is reasonable to keep the accused in custody during trial and in only exceptional cases (like heinous crime) the bail can be denied.
15. In Amit Mehra v. Union of India  114 GST 253/106 GSTL 3 (SC)/Special Leave to Appeal (Criminal) No 20996 of 2025 by order dated 12.1.2026, Hon’ble Supreme Court while granting bail to the accused under Section 132(i) of GST Act, 2017 and Section 20(xv) of IGST Act, 2017 (who was under detention for eight months) has observed as under:-
“4. We do not undermine the gravity of the alleged offence. However, at the same time, we should not overlook the fact that the petitioner is in judicial custody as an under-trial prisoner past 8 months. The Trial Court is yet to commence. Charge is yet to be framed. Even if the trial commences in near future, it would not conclude within next one year. The offences are triable by Magistrate. The maximum punishment that the trial court may be in a position to impose upon the petitioner if held guilty would be upto 5 years.”
16. The Supreme Court in Vineet Jain v. Union of India 99 GSTL 129 (SC)/Criminal Appeal No 2269 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (Criminal) No 4349 of 2025) decided on 28.4.2025 while grating bail to accused Clauses (c), (f) and (h) of Section 132(1) of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 has observed as under:-
“The offences alleged against the appellant are under Clauses (c), (f) and (h) of Section 132(1) of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017. The maximum sentence is of 5 years with fine. A charge-sheet has been filed. The appellant is in custody for a period of almost 7 months. The case is triable by a Court of a Judicial Magistrate. The sentence is limited and in any case, the prosecution is based on documentary evidence. There are no antecedents.
We are surprised to note that in a case like this, the appellant has been denied the benefit of bail at all levels, including the High Court and ultimately, he was forced to approach this Court. These are the cases where in normal course, before the Trial Courts, the accused should get bail unless there are some extra ordinary circumstances”
17. In Ratnambar Kaushik v. Union of India [2023] 95 GST 548/68 GSTL 233 (SC)/(2023) 2 SCC 621, Hon’ble Supreme Court while granting bail to an accused under Sections 132(1)(a), (h), (k) and (l) read with Section 132(5) of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 has observed as under:-
“8. In considering the application for bail, it is noted that the petitioner was arrested on 21-7-2022 and while in custody, the investigation has been completed and the charge-sheet has been filed. Even if it is taken note that the alleged evasion of tax by the petitioner is to the extent as provided under Section 132(1)(l)(i), the punishment provided is, imprisonment which may extend to 5 years and fine. The petitioner has already undergone incarceration for more than four months and completion of trial, in any event, would take some time. Needless to mention that the petitioner if released on bail, is required to adhere to the conditions to be imposed and diligently participate in the trial. Further, in a case of the present nature, the evidence to be tendered by the respondent would essentially be documentary and electronic. The ocular evidence will be through official witnesses, due to which there can be no apprehension of tampering, intimidating or influencing. Therefore, keeping all these aspects in perspective, in the facts and circumstances of the present case, we find it proper to grant the prayer made by the petitioner.”
18. Under Section 132 of CGST Act, maximum punishment provided is 5 years. The prosecution is triable by Magistrate. Applicant is in jail since 1.2.2026. Investigation is completed against applicant and complaint is filed before Special Chief Judicial Magistrate, (Economic Offence), Meerut. It has not been shown by opposite party that charge has been framed against applicant. Even if the trial commences in near future, it would not conclude within next one year. Applicant has no previous criminal history.
19. In Manish Sisodia v. Directorate of Enforcement (SC)/(2024) 12 SCC 660 , Hon’ble Supreme Court has recognised the principle that “Bail is a Rule and jail is exception”
“52. The Court in Javed Gulam Nabi Shaikh case [Javed Gulam Nabi Shaikh v. State of Maharashtra, (2024) 9 SCC 813 : (2025) 1 SCC (Cri) 222] further observed that, over a period of time, the trial courts and the High Courts have forgotten a very well-settled principle of law that bail is not to be withheld as a punishment. From our experience, we can say that it appears that the trial courts and the High Courts attempt to play safe in matters of grant of bail. The principle that bail is a rule and refusal is an exception is, at times, followed in breach. On account of non-grant of bail even in straightforward open-and-shut cases, this Court is flooded with huge number of bail petitions thereby adding to the huge pendency. It is high time that the trial courts and the High Courts should recognise the principle that “bail is rule and jail is exception”.”
20. Learned counsel for opposite parties has not brought any fact or circumstances to indicate criminal history or antecedents of the applicant which would disentitle the applicant for bail.
21. Learned counsel for opposite parties has not shown any exceptional circumstances which would warrant denial of bail to the applicant. No material, facts or circumstances has been shown by learned counsel for opposite party that accused may tamper with the evidence or witnesses or the accused is of such character that his mere presence at large would intimidate the witnesses or that accused will use his liberty to subvert justice or tamper with the evidence.
22. It is settled principle of law that the object of bail is to secure the attendance of accused at the trial. No material particulars or circumstances suggestive of the applicant fleeing from justice or thwarting the course of justice or creating other troubles in the shape of repeating offences or intimidating witnesses and the like have been shown. Further the trial is by Magistrate and maximum punishment for offence is five years and applicant is in jail since 19.11.2025. Investigation against applicant completed and complaint filed and there is no chance that trial is completed in near future.
23. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, nature of offence, evidence, complicity of the accused, submissions of learned counsel for the parties, period of detention and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the Court is of the view that the applicant has made out a case for bail. The bail application is allowed.
24. Let the applicant-Shivam Dwivedi involved in Case No. 189 of 2026, under Sections 132(1)(a), 132(1)(b) and 132(1)(i) of the Central Goods & Services Tax Act, 2017, Police Station D.G.G.I., Meerut, District Meerut be released on bail on furnishing a personal bond and two sureties each in the like amount to the satisfaction of the court concerned subject to the following conditions:-
i. The applicant will not tamper with the evidence during the trial.
ii. The applicant will not pressurize/intimidate the prosecution witness.
iii. The applicant will appear before the trial court on the date fixed, unless personal presence is exempted and/or the applicant shall make himself available for interrogation by a police officer as and when required.
iv. The applicant shall not commit an offence similar to the offence of which he is accused, or suspected, of the commission of which he is suspected.
v. The applicant shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer or tamper with the evidence.
vi. The applicant shall not leave India without the previous permission of the Court.
vii. In the event, the applicant changes residential address, the applicant shall inform the court concerned about new residential address in writing.
25. In case of breach of any of the above condition, the prosecution shall be at liberty to move bail cancellation application before this Court.