Patna High Court
Pankaj Kumar vs State Goods And Services Tax on 30 August, 2023
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.2751 of 2023
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Pankaj Kumar S/o Ram Nath Singh, (GSTIN- 10AQYPK7891F2ZB) R/o
Aparna Bank Colony, Ram Jaipal Road, Danapur, P.S.- Rupaspur, 801503
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. State Goods And Services Tax through its Principal Secretary, New
Secretariat, Patna, Bihar.
2. Assistant Commissioner of State Tax (proper officer), Patna North, Patna,
East, Bihar.
... ... Respondent/s
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Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Ravi Shankar, Advocate
For the Respondent/s : Mr.Vivek Prasad (GP-7)
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CORAM: HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE
and
HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE PARTHA SARTHY
ORAL JUDGMENT
(Per: HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE)
Date : 30-08-2023
In the present case, the assessment order was dated
09.10.2021 and petitioner without approaching appropriate
authorities has directly moved the present writ petition.
2. The Hon'ble Supreme Court in Suo Motu Writ
Petition (C) No. 3 of 2020, In Re: Cognizance For Extension of
Limitation due to the pandemic situation, limitation was saved
between 15.03.2020 till 28.02.2022. It was also directed that an
appeal could be filed within ninety days from 01.03.2022.
Hence, an appeal could have been filed on or before
29.05.2022, which provision was not availed by the petitioner
Patna High Court CWJC No.2751 of 2023 dt.30-08-2023
herein. The Hon'ble Supreme Court also declared that if a
longer period than 90 days is provided in a Statute, then that
longer period will apply. In the BGST Act, u/s 107(4) there is a
provision for condonation of delay, if the appeal is filed
delayed, within one month of expiry of limitation. Even if that
be deemed to be appealable then the appeal ought to have been
filed by 28.06.2022. In the present case, no appeal stands filed.
3. We also notice the contours of the jurisdiction
under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to interfere with
appellable orders laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in
State of H.P & Ors. v. Gujarat Ambuja Cement Limited &
Anr.; (2005) 6 SCC 499. It has been held that if an assessee
approaches the High Court without availing the alternate
remedy, it should be ensured that the assessee has made out a
strong case or that there exists good grounds to invoke the
extraordinary jurisdiction. While reiterating that Article 226 of
the Constitution confers very wide powers on the High Court, it
was clarified that nonetheless the remedy of writ is an
absolutely discretionary remedy. The High Court, hence, can
always refuse the exercise of discretion if there is an adequate
and effective remedy elsewhere. The High Court can exercise
the power only if it comes to the conclusion that there has been
Patna High Court CWJC No.2751 of 2023 dt.30-08-2023
a breach of principles of natural justice or due procedure
required for the decision has not been adopted. The High Court
would also interfere if it comes to a conclusion that there is
infringement of fundamental rights or where there is failure of
principles of natural justice or where the orders and proceeding
are wholly without jurisdiction or when the vires of an Act is
challenged. There is no such plea made by the petitioner in the
present case against the impugned order.
4. Having not availed the statutory remedies
available, the petitioner cannot seek to approach this Court
under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to challenge an
assessment order especially with respect to the computation of
the turn over and the determination of the taxable turnover and
the tax payable, as arrived at by the Assessing Officer. In the
BGST Act, an appellate remedy is provided under Section 107,
which has to be availed within a period of three months or with
a delay within a further period of one month.
5. It is trite law that when there is a specific period
for delay condonation provided, there cannot be any extension
of the said period by the Appellate Authority or by this Court
under Article 226 of the Constitution.
6. The petitioner by his own failure has not availed
Patna High Court CWJC No.2751 of 2023 dt.30-08-2023
the appellate remedy and in that circumstance, there can be no
invocation of the extraordinary jurisdiction under Article 226 of
the Constitution of India. We also find that there is no
jurisdictional error, violation of principles of natural justice or
abuse of process of Court averred or argued by the petitioner in
the above writ petition. The gross delay also stands against the
petitioner.
7. As such, the writ petition would stand dismissed.
(K. Vinod Chandran, CJ)
( Partha Sarthy, J)
Anushka/-
AFR/NAFR
CAV DATE
Uploading Date 04.09.2023
Transmission Date
