Kavita Singh vs The State Of Bihar
2022 Latest Caselaw 4394 Patna

         IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
                   Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.10979 of 2022
     ======================================================

Kavita Singh an individual having her place of business at Bindwara Barghor

Tola, Munger- 811201 through its authorised representative namely Vikash

Saraf male aged about 41 years son of Late Bijay Agrawal resident of

Bekapur, Shivaji Chowk, Munger- 811201.

... ... Petitioner/s Versus

1. The State of Bihar through the Principal Secretary cum Commissioner,

Department of State Taxes, Government of Bihar, Patna.

2. The Assistant Commissioner of State Taxes, Munger Circle, Munger (2020-

2021)

... ... Respondent/s

====================================================== Appearance :

For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Gautam Kumar Kejriwal, Advocate For the Respondent/s : Mr.Vikash Kumar (Sc11) ====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE and HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S. KUMAR ORAL JUDGMENT (Per: HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE)

Date : 10-08-2022

Heard learned counsel for the parties.

Petitioner has prayed for the following relief(s):-

Patna High Court CWJC No.10979 of 2022 dt.10-08-2022

Petitioner has prayed for quashing of the order

dated 17.11.2021 passed by the Respondent No. 2, namely The

Assistant Commissioner of State Taxes, Munger Circle,

Munger in Reference No. ZD101121006571E as also

Summary of the order in Form GST DRC-07 dated Patna High Court CWJC No.10979 of 2022 dt.10-08-2022

17.11.2021.

The order appears to be ex parte in nature.

Learned counsel for the Revenue, states that he has

no objection if the matter is remanded to the Assessing

Authority for deciding the case afresh. Also, the case shall

be decided on merits. Also, during pendency of the case,

no coercive steps shall be taken against the petitioner.

Statement accepted and taken on record.

However, having heard learned counsel for the parties

as also perused the record made available, we are of the

considered view that this Court, notwithstanding the statutory

remedy, is not precluded from interfering where, ex facie, we

form an opinion that the order is bad in law. This we say so,

for two reasons- (a) violation of principles of natural justice,

i.e. Fair opportunity of hearing. No sufficient time was

afforded to the petitioner to represent his case; (b) order passed

ex parte in nature, does not assign any reasons sufficient even

decipherable from the record, as to how the officer could

determine the amount due and payable by the assessee. The

order, ex parte in nature, passed in violation of the principles

of natural justice, entails civil consequences. We also find the

authorities not to have adjudicated the matter on the attending Patna High Court CWJC No.10979 of 2022 dt.10-08-2022

facts and circumstances. All issues of fact and law ought to

have been dealt with, even if the proceedings were to be ex

parte in nature.

As such, we dispose of the present writ petition in the

following mutually agreeable terms:

(a) We quash and set aside the impugned order

dated 17.11.2021 passed by the Respondent No. 2, namely The

Assistant Commissioner of State Taxes, Munger Circle,

Munger in Reference No. ZD101121006571E as also

Summary of the order in Form GST DRC-07 dated

17.11.2021;

(b) The petitioner undertakes to deposit twenty per

cent of the amount of the demand raised before the

Assessing Officer. This shall be done within four weeks;

(d) This deposit shall be without prejudice to the

respective rights and contention of the parties and

subject to the order passed by the Assessing Officer.

However, if it is ultimately found that the petitioner's

deposit is in excess, the same shall be refunded within

two months from the date of passing of the order;

(e) We also direct for de-freezing/de-attaching of

the bank account(s) of the writ-petitioner, if attached in Patna High Court CWJC No.10979 of 2022 dt.10-08-2022

reference to the proceedings, subject matter of present

petition. This shall be done immediately;

(f) Petitioner undertakes to appear before the

Assessing Authority on 12th of September, 2022 at 10:30

A.M., if possible through digital mode;

(g) The Assessing Authority shall decide the

case on merits after complying with the principles of

natural justice;

(h) Opportunity of hearing shall be afforded to

the parties to place on record all essential documents

and materials, if so required and desired;

(i) During pendency of the case, no coercive

steps shall be taken against the petitioner.

(j) The Assessing Authority shall pass a fresh

order only after affording adequate opportunity to all

concerned, including the writ petitioner;

(k) Petitioner through learned counsel undertakes to

fully cooperate in such proceedings and not take

unnecessary adjournment;

(l) The Assessing Authority shall decide the case on

merits expeditiously, preferably within a period of two Patna High Court CWJC No.10979 of 2022 dt.10-08-2022

months from the date of appearance of the petitioner;

(m) The Assessing Authority shall pass a speaking

order assigning reasons, copy whereof shall be supplied to

the parties;

(n) Liberty reserved to the petitioner to challenge

the order, if required and desired;

(o) Equally, liberty reserved to the parties to take

recourse to such other remedies as are otherwise available

in accordance with law;

(p) We are hopeful that as and when petitioner

takes recourse to such remedies, before the appropriate

forum, the same shall be dealt with, in accordance with

law, with a reasonable dispatch;

(q) We have not expressed any opinion on merits

and all issues are left open;

(r) If possible, proceedings during the time of

current Pandemic [Covid-19] be conducted through

digital mode;

The instant petition stands disposed of in the

aforesaid terms.

Interlocutory Application(s), if any, stands

disposed of.

Patna High Court CWJC No.10979 of 2022 dt.10-08-2022

Learned counsel for the respondents undertakes

to communicate the order to the appropriate authority

through electronic mode.

(Sanjay Karol, CJ)

( S. Kumar, J) veena/rajiv-

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