Jain Construction Company vs. Union Of INDIA & Ors

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CWP/12247/2025HC Punjab and HaryanaGSTCNR PHHC01066023202513 May 2025Bench: MRS. JUSTICE LISA GILL,MRS. JUSTICE SUDEEPTI SHARMA4 pages
AI SummaryRemanded

Facts

The petitioner, Jain Construction Company, filed a writ petition challenging an order dated 29.04.2023 passed by respondent No. 5 and a subsequent appellate order dated 31.07.2024 passed by respondent No. 4 (Deputy Commissioner of State Tax (Appeals), Patiala). The petitioner argued that the appellate order was appealable, but since the Goods and Services Tax Tribunal was not yet constituted, they approached the High Court. The respondents, represented by the Additional Advocate General, Punjab, referred to Circular No. 224/18/2024-GST dated 11.07.2024, which outlines a procedure for taxpayers to make pre-deposit payments and file an undertaking to appeal before the Appellate Tribunal once constituted.

Held

The Court noted that the petitioner was challenging the appellate order dated 31.07.2024, which was appealable. However, due to the non-constitution of the Goods and Services Tax Tribunal, the petitioner had approached the High Court. The respondents brought to the Court's attention Circular No. 224/18/2024-GST dated 11.07.2024. This circular clarifies that taxpayers wishing to appeal against an appellate authority's order can make the pre-deposit payment as per Section 112(8) of the CGST Act. They must also file an undertaking with the jurisdictional proper officer, declaring their intent to file an appeal before the Appellate Tribunal once it is constituted. Upon fulfilling these conditions, the recovery of the remaining confirmed demand will be stayed under Section 112(9) of the CGST Act. The petitioner's counsel stated that the petitioner was ready to file the undertaking as per the circular. Consequently, the Court disposed of the writ petition, granting liberty to the petitioner to file the undertaking/declaration with the proper jurisdictional officer as required by the circular.

Key Issues

1. Whether the petitioner is required to make a pre-deposit payment as per Section 112(8) of the CGST Act and file an undertaking with the jurisdictional officer to avail a stay on the recovery of the remaining demand, in light of the non-constitution of the Appellate Tribunal? Petitioner's Argument: The petitioner is challenging the appellate order and seeks relief from this Court due to the non-constitution of the Appellate Tribunal. They are willing to comply with the procedure laid down in the relevant circular. Revenue/State's Argument: The respondents rely on Circular No. 224/18/2024-GST dated 11.07.2024. They contend that the petitioner must pay the pre-deposit amount as per Section 112(8) of the CGST Act and file an undertaking with the jurisdictional officer, stating their intention to appeal before the Appellate Tribunal when it becomes operational. Upon compliance, the recovery of the remaining demand will be stayed as per Section 112(9) of the CGST Act.

Sections Cited

Section 112(8), Section 112(9)

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

CWP-12247-2025 (O&M) -1- IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 149 CWP-12247-2025 (O&M) Date of Decision: 13.05.2025 CORAM: HON’BLE MRS. JUSTICE LISA GILL HON’BLE MRS. JUSTICE SUDEEPTI SHARMA Present: Mr. Aman Bansal, Advocate, for the petitioner. Mr. Saurabh Kapoor, Additional Advocate General, Punjab, for respondents No.2 to 5. ***** SUDEEPTI SHARMA,

J.

1.

Petitioner in the present writ petition is praying for setting aside impugned order dated 29.04.2023 passed by respondent No.5 and impugned order dated 31.07.2024, whereby appeal filed by the petitioner has been dismissed by respondent No.4. 2. Admittedly order dated 31.07.2024 (Annexure P-9) passed by respondent No.4 (Deputy Commissioner of State Tax (Appeals), Patiala, is appealable and since, the Goods & Services Tax Tribunal is not constituted, therefore, the petitioner has challenged the same before this Court.

3.

Upon advance notice, learned counsel for respondents No.2 to 5 submits that Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, GST Policy Wing, VIRENDRA SINGH ADHIKARI 2025.05.16 11:40 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

CWP-12247-2025 (O&M) -2- New Delhi, has issued Circular No.224/18/2024-GST dated 11.07.2024, as per which, the petitioner is required to make the payment of the amount of pre-deposit as per Section 112(8) of the CGST Act and file an undertaking/declaration with the proper juri ictional officer that he will file an appeal before the Appellate Tribunal, as and when it is constituted for challenging the impugned order dated 31.07.2024. 4. The relevant paragraphs No.4 and 5 of the aforesaid circular are reproduced as under:- “4. In order to facilitate the taxpayers to make the payment of the amount of pre-deposit as per sub-section (8) of section 112 of CGST Act, and to avail the benefit of stay from recovery of the remaining amount of confirmed demand as per sub- section (9) of section 112 of CGST Act, it is hereby clarified that in cases where the taxpayer decides to file an appeal against the order of the appellate authority and wants to make the payment of the amount of pre-deposit as per sub-section (8) of section 112 of CGST Act, he can make the payment of an amount equal to the amount of pre-deposit by navigating to Services >> Ledgers>> Payment towards demand, from his dashboard. The taxpayer would be navigated to Electronic Liability Register (ELL) Part-II in which he can select the order, out of the outstanding demand orders, against which payment is intended to be made. The amount so paid would be mapped against the selected order and demand amount would be reduced in the balance liability in the aforesaid register. The said amount deposited by the taxpayer will be adjusted against the amount of pre-deposit required to be deposited at the time of filing appeal before the Appellate Tribunal. VIRENDRA SINGH ADHIKARI 2025.05.16 11:40 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

CWP-12247-2025 (O&M) -3-

5.

The taxpayer also needs to file an undertaking/ declaration with the juri ictional proper officer that he will file appeal against the said order of the appellate authority before the Appellate Tribunal, as and when it comes into operation, within the timelines mentioned in section 112 of the CGST Act read with Central Goods and Services Tax (Ninth Removal of Difficulties) Order, 2019 dated 03.12.2019. On providing the said undertaking and on payment of an amount equal to the amount of pre-deposit as per the procedure mentioned in para 4 above, the recovery of the remaining amount of confirmed demand as per the order of the appellate authority will stand stayed as per provisions of sub-section (9) of section 112 of CGST Act.”

5.

Learned counsel for respondents No.2 to 5 further submits that as per requirement of pre-deposit under Section 112(8) of the CGST Act, the amount paid by the petitioner is already adjusted against 20% and as per requirement of circular referred to above, the petitioner is required to file an undertaking/declaration with the proper juri ictional officer, that he will file appeal against the impugned order dated 31.07.2024 of the appellate authority before the Appellate Tribunal, as and when it comes into operation, within the timelines mentioned in Section 112 of the CGST Act read with Central Goods and Services Tax (Ninth Removal of Difficulties) Order, 2019 dated 03.12.2019 and on providing the same, recovery of the remaining amount of confirmed demand as per the order of the appellate authority will stand stayed as per provisions of sub-section (9) of section 112 of CGST Act. VIRENDRA SINGH ADHIKARI 2025.05.16 11:40 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

CWP-12247-2025 (O&M) -4-

6.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that petitioner is ready to file an undertaking/declaration with the proper juri ictional officer, in terms of the above referred to circular dated 11.07.2024. 7. In view of the statement made by learned counsel for petitioner, present writ petition is disposed of with liberty to the petitioner to file to file an undertaking/declaration with the proper juri ictional officer, as per requirement of above referred to circular dated 11.07.2024. 8. Disposed of accordingly. (LISA GILL) (SUDEEPTI SHARMA) JUDGE

JUDGE

13.05.

2025 Virrendra Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes / No Whether reportable: Yes / No VIRENDRA SINGH ADHIKARI 2025.05.16 11:40 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

Reproduced from the public record of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Verify against the court's own copy before relying on it. Income tax judgments are on bharattax.net.