GST Appeal Delay Condoned; Appellate Authority to Hear Appeal on Merits
Issue: Whether the Appellate Authority erred in rejecting an appeal solely on the grounds of limitation without considering the assessee’s application for condonation of delay and the merits of the appeal.
Facts:
- The assessee’s appeal was rejected by the Appellate Authority as time-barred.
- The assessee had filed an application explaining the reasons for the delay and had also made the necessary pre-deposit as required under Section 107(6) of the GST Act.
Decision:
- The court held that the Appellate Authority failed to exercise its jurisdiction properly by rejecting the appeal without considering the condonation application and the merits of the case.
- The court found no lack of bona fides on the part of the assessee in filing the appeal.
- The delay in filing the appeal was condoned.
- The Appellate Authority was directed to hear and dispose of the appeal on its merits.
Key Takeaways:
- This case highlights the importance of considering condonation of delay applications and the merits of an appeal before rejecting it solely on the grounds of limitation.
- Appellate authorities have a responsibility to exercise their jurisdiction judiciously and not dismiss cases based on technicalities without considering the facts and circumstances.
- This decision ensures that taxpayers have a fair opportunity to have their appeals heard and decided on merit, even if there are delays in filing, provided they demonstrate good faith and reasonable cause for the delay.
HIGH COURT OF CALCUTTA
Eastern Impex Corporation
v.
Deputy Commissioner, State Tax
Rajarshi Bharadwaj, J.
WPA No.18686 of 2024
JANUARY 10, 2025
Debanju Basu Thakur, Ms. Mandira Routh for the Petitioner. A. Ray, Md. T.M. Siddiqui, N. Chatterjee, T. Chakraborty, S. Sanyal for the Respondent.
ORDER
1. The present writ petition has been filed, inter alia, challenging the order dated 17th May, 2024, passed by the appellate authority under Section 107 of the Central/West Bengal Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (hereinafter referred to as the “said Act”), whereby the petitioner’s appeal had been rejected on the ground that the same was barred by limitation. The facts are not in dispute. In connection with a proceeding initiated under Section 73 of the said Act, for the tax period July, 2017 to March, 2018 an order under Section 73(9) of the said Act was passed on 5th October, 2023. Although, the petitioner had preferred an appeal from the aforesaid order and simultaneously, with the filing of the appeal, had also made pre-deposit of Rs.10,900/- as is required for maintaining the appeal under the provisions of Section 107(6) of the said Act, there had been delay in filing of the appeal. In such circumstance, the petitioner had also filed an application on 7th February, 2024 explaining the delay in preferring the appeal. According to the petitioner, the appellate authority without appropriately taking note of the grounds for condonation of delay had rejected the appeal, inter alia, on the ground that appellate authority is competent only to condone the delay provided the appeal is filed within the period of one month beyond the time prescribed. He submits that the aforesaid order is perverse, In the facts of this case this Court may be pleased to restore the appeal by condoning the delay.
2. Mr. Siddiqui, learned advocate enters appearance on behalf of the State-respondents.
3. Heard the learned advocates appearing for the respective parties and considered the materials on record.
4. Admittedly, in this case the petitioner had filed an appeal challenging the order passed under Section 73(9) of the said Act. Simultaneously, with the filing of the appeal, the petitioner had also made pre-deposit of Rs. 10,900/- as is required for maintaining the appeal. As such there is no lack of bona fide on the part of the petitioner in preferring the appeal. It appears that the petitioner had also made a prayer for condonation of delay, inter alia, claiming that by reasons of lack of proper knowledge of the GST portal there had been delay in filing the appeal. There appears to be a delay of 02 days in filing the appeal.
5. Taking into consideration that the petitioner is a small businessman and there is no lack of bona fide on the part of the petitioner and one does not stand to gain by filing a belated appeal, I am of the view that in the instant case, the appellate authority ought to have appropriately considered the application for condonation of delay filed by the petitioner.
6. The appellate authority, however, appears to have rejected the appeal on the ground of limitation by, inter alia, holding that the delay can only be condoned provided the same is filed within the period of one month of the time prescribed. The aforesaid observation made by the appellate authority runs counter to the observation made by the Hon’ble Division Bench of this Court in the case of S. K. Chakaraborty & Sons v. Union of India & Ors., reported in 2023 SCC Online Cal 4759.
7. The aforesaid would demonstrate that the appellate authority had failed to exercise the jurisdiction vested in it. Having regard to the above and taking note of the explanation given by the petitioner while setting aside the order dated 30th April 2024, I condone the delay in preferring the appeal.
8. Accordingly, I direct the appellate authority to hear and dispose of the appeal, on merit, upon giving an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner, within a period of 8 weeks from the date of communication of this order.
9. With the above observations and directions, the writ petition is disposed of.
10. There shall be no order as to costs.
11. All parties shall act on the basis of the server copy of this order duly downloaded from the official website of this Court.