Ishaan Plastics Pvt. Ltd. & Anr. Vs Deputy Commissioner of State Tax
Date: September 19, 2023
Subject Matter
No penalty for 9 hr gap between E-way Bill expiry and vehicle interception as there is no intent to evade tax
Summary
The case involves a writ petition challenging the order of the appellate authority under the WBGST Act. The petitioner was imposed a penalty for transporting a vehicle after the expiry of the e-way bill. The bill expired on 27 December 2022 at 11:59 p.m. and the vehicle was intercepted at 8:37 a.m. on 28 December 2022. The petitioner argues that there was no intention to evade tax. The High Court, considering previous court orders and the facts of the case, sets aside the impugned order and allows the petitioner to claim a refund of the penalty, subject to compliance with legal formalities.
FULL TEXT OF THE JUDGMENT/ORDER OF CALCUTTA HIGH COUR
Heard learned advocates appearing for the parties.
By this writ petition, petitioner has challenged the impugned order of the appellate authority under WBGST Act confirming the order of the adjudicating authority imposing the penalty for transporting the vehicle in question after expiry of the e-way bill which was expired on 27.12.2022 at 11.59 p.m. and the vehicle in question was intercepted at 8.37 a.m. on 28.12.2022 that there is a time gap between the expiry of the bill and interception of the vehicle in question is about 9 hrs., which is less than a day and writ petitioner submits that there was no intention of any evasion of tax on the part of the petitioner.
9 Hour Gap between expiry of bill and interception of vehicle & no intention of any evasion of tax – HC deletes Penalty
Learned advocate appearing for the petitioner in support of his contention relies on an order of this Court dated 1st March, 2022 in WPA No. 11085 of 2021 in the case of Ashok Kumar Sureka – Vs – Assistant Commissioner, State Tax, Durgapur Range and also a Division Bench decision of this Court dated 12th May, 2022 in MAT No. 470 of 2022.
Learned advocate appearing for the respondents could not make out any case against the petitioner that there was any deliberate or willful intention of the petitioner to avoid and evade the tax.
In view of the facts and circumstances of the case which appears from record and considering the aforesaid two orders of this Court, this writ petition being WPA 22612 of 2023 is disposed of by setting aside the aforesaid impugned order of the appellate authority and adjudicating authority and as a consequence, petitioner will be entitled to get the refund of the penalty in question subject to compliance of legal formalities.
With this observation, this writ petition being WPA 22612 of 2023 stands disposed of.