M/S Rahunath Marketing vs. Commercial Tax Officer
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Cause title — parties, addresses and appearances
ORAL ORDER The petitioner has called in question the correctness of the order of adjudication under Section 73(9) of the Karnataka Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017. Copy of which is enclosed at Annexure-A. It is the case of the petitioner that the order passed is without any reply by the petitioner and has culminated in an order which could be stated to be an ex-parte order. HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:4573
It is submitted that the absence of response to the notices was in light of lapse of the auditor who was not available at the relevant point of time. On merits, it is submitted that the returns were filed contrary to the sales registers and accordingly, the only way out for the petitioner was to have explained the defects in the returns, during the process of adjudication. The mistake is sought to be demonstrated to be a mistake in filing the returns with reference to details of the sales register as per the comparative table at page No.26 to the writ petition.
Learned High Court Government Pleader appearing for the revenue would contend that the order passed though may be termed to be an ex-parte order, is solely due to the lapse of the petitioner and there is no fault of the adjudicating authority.
Taking note of the lapse stated to have occurred with reference to the table at page No.26, it HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:4573 would be appropriate to afford the petitioner an opportunity to take part in the adjudication proceedings. No doubt, learned HCGP would contend that notice is served. But, however keeping in mind, the consequences that would visit the petitioner in light of the order passed and the prima-facie nature of error stated to have occurred, it would meet the ends of justice in affording the petitioner an opportunity to take part in the proceedings and take stand on merits.
Accordingly, the order at Annexure-A is set aside. Matter is remitted to the stage of reply to GST DRC-1A dated 11.01.2024. Petitioner to be present on 16.02.2026. Needless to state, if the petitioner does not avail of the remedy, the indulgence extended by this Court would stand revoked.
In light of the order now being set aside, being related to the year 2024, petitioner to pay cost of Rs.10,000/- to the High Court Legal Services Committee. HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:4573
Accordingly, petition is allowed. All contentions on merits are kept open. Any observation made herein is not to be construed to be an expression on the merits of the contentions and are solely made for the purpose of disposal of the present petition. Office objections to be complied with forthwith. (S SUNIL DUTT YADAV) JUDGE MCR
Reproduced from the public record of the Karnataka High Court. Verify against the court's own copy before relying on it. Income tax judgments are on bharattax.net.