Tushar Builders And Bkp Infra LLP vs. Deputy Commissioner Of State Tax, Shaniwarpeth 501, Pune

Heard Mr. Bora who appears with Heard Mr. Bora who appears with Ms. Punmiya Ms. Punmiya for the for the Petitioner and Ms. Vyas, learned Additional Government Pleader with Petitioner and Ms. Vyas, learned Additional Government Pleader with Mr. Mr. Deolekar, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Respondent Deolekar, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Respondent Nos.1 and 2. Nos.1 and 2. 2. The challenge in this petition is to the Order-in-Original dated The challenge in this petition is to the Order-in-Original dated 28 February 2025 (Exhibit-M). 28 February 2025 (Exhibit-M).

Though, the impugned order is appealable as accepted by the Though, the impugned order is appealable as accepted by the Petitioner in paragraph 11 of the petition, Mr. Bora, learned counsel for Petitioner in paragraph 11 of the petition, Mr. Bora, learned counsel for the Petitioner has contended that this is a matter where the adjudicating the Petitioner has contended that this is a matter where the adjudicating officer was involved with the audit and, therefore, this was a case of officer was involved with the audit and, therefore, this was a case of biased adjudication. Further he submitted that the impugned order has biased adjudication. Further he submitted that the impugned order has been made in breach of the limitation provisions. He submitted that a been made in breach of the limitation provisions. He submitted that a show cause notice was not issued three months prior to the last date of show cause notice was not issued three months prior to the last date of completing the adjudication process, and this renders the impugned completing the adjudication process, and this renders the impugned 2025:BHC-AS:32332-DB

Ms. Vyas submitted that the Petitioner has an alternate and Ms. Vyas submitted that the Petitioner has an alternate and efficacious remedy, and the reasons cited, apart from being untenable, efficacious remedy, and the reasons cited, apart from being untenable, are not sufficient to bypass such alternate remedies. She pointed out are not sufficient to bypass such alternate remedies. She pointed out that the Petitioner has already applied for rectification of the impugned that the Petitioner has already applied for rectification of the impugned order, and the same is pending. She further submitted that the objection order, and the same is pending. She further submitted that the objection regarding bias is untenable and, in any event, the same was never regarding bias is untenable and, in any event, the same was never raised before the adjudicating authority. raised before the adjudicating authority.

Ms. Vyas pointed out that the impugned order was made well Ms. Vyas pointed out that the impugned order was made well within the prescribed period of limitation and further the argument within the prescribed period of limitation and further the argument based on earlier investigation was incorrect and, in any event, the rule based on earlier investigation was incorrect and, in any event, the rule may have been issued in the said matter. She, however, pointed out that may have been issued in the said matter. She, however, pointed out that such issue was not available in the present matter. such issue was not available in the present matter. 1 [2025] 175 taxmann.com 825 (Bombay) Sayyed 23-WP.6431.2025.docx

We have considered the rival contentions, and we are satisfied

The Petitioner has already applied for rectification, and the The Petitioner has already applied for rectification, and the rectification application is pending. In any event, the impugned Order- rectification application is pending. In any event, the impugned Order- in-Original is clearly appealable, and the reasons now cited are not in-Original is clearly appealable, and the reasons now cited are not sufficient to bypass this remedy. sufficient to bypass this remedy.

In the reply filed to the show cause notice, at least we did not In the reply filed to the show cause notice, at least we did not find any objection on the ground of bias raised. In any event, we do not find any objection on the ground of bias raised. In any event, we do not propose to shut out the Petitioner from raising such an argument if the propose to shut out the Petitioner from raising such an argument if the same is permissible. However, such an argument can be best examined same is permissible. However, such an argument can be best examined in an appeal where even the Respondents will have an opportunity to in an appeal where even the Respondents will have an opportunity to raise the issue of waiver. raise the issue of waiver.

The argument based on limitation can also be raised in an The argument based on limitation can also be raised in an appeal. At this stage, based on the argument raised, we are not satisfied appeal. At this stage, based on the argument raised, we are not satisfied that a case of the impugned order being that a case of the impugned order being ex facie ex facie without limitation is without limitation is made out. Again, we do not wish to shut out this contention, but we made out. Again, we do not wish to shut out this contention, but we believe that such a contention is best adjudicated by the Appellate believe that such a contention is best adjudicated by the Appellate Authority because a review of such a contention would also involve an Authority because a review of such a contention would also involve an investigation into factual aspects. investigation into factual aspects.

The argument about the previous investigation and payments The argument about the previous investigation and payments is again a matter which will involve an investigation into facts. The is again a matter which will involve an investigation into facts. The Petitioner virtually wishes to raise a plea like that of Petitioner virtually wishes to raise a plea like that of res judicata res judicata or or double taxation. This will involve an investigation and comparison of double taxation. This will involve an investigation and comparison of the two proceedings. Again, this is a matter which is best agitated the two proceedings. Again, this is a matter which is best agitated before the Appellate Authority constituted under the Act. before the Appellate Authority constituted under the Act.

The order cited for the previous year was made since there The order cited for the previous year was made since there was an issue of extension of the period of limitation by exercising was an issue of extension of the period of limitation by exercising Sayyed 23-WP.6431.2025.docx powers under Section 168A of the CGST Act, 2017. Several petitions powers under Section 168A of the CGST Act, 2017. Several petitions have been filed on this issue and are admitted. Such an issue, have been filed on this issue and are admitted. Such an issue, admittedly, does not arise in the present matter. Therefore, based on the admittedly, does not arise in the present matter. Therefore, based on the orders cited, there is no case made out to insist that this Court should orders cited, there is no case made out to insist that this Court should entertain the present petition. entertain the present petition.

In the case of In the case of Oberoi Constructions vs. Union of India & Ors. Oberoi Constructions vs. Union of India & Ors.2 this Court has considered several decisions of Co-ordinate Benches and this Court has considered several decisions of Co-ordinate Benches and of the Hon’ble Supreme Court on the issue of exhaustion of alternate of the Hon’ble Supreme Court on the issue of exhaustion of alternate remedies. By adopting the reasoning in the said decision and the remedies. By adopting the reasoning in the said decision and the precedents referred to therein, we decline to entertain this petition. precedents referred to therein, we decline to entertain this petition.

For all the above reasons, we dismiss this petition but with For all the above reasons, we dismiss this petition but with liberty to the Petitioner to avail the alternate remedy of appeal by liberty to the Petitioner to avail the alternate remedy of appeal by fulfilling the necessary pre-conditions for institution of such appeal, if fulfilling the necessary pre-conditions for institution of such appeal, if the Petitioner so chooses. the Petitioner so chooses.

All contentions of all parties on merits are left open, should All contentions of all parties on merits are left open, should the Petitioner wish to avail of the alternate remedy of appeal. None of the Petitioner wish to avail of the alternate remedy of appeal. None of the observations in this order need influence the Appellate Authority if the observations in this order need influence the Appellate Authority if the Petitioner indeed institutes any appeal against the Order-in-Original. the Petitioner indeed institutes any appeal against the Order-in-Original. The observations are only in the context of deciding whether the The observations are only in the context of deciding whether the Petitioner should be excused from the normal practice of exhaustion of Petitioner should be excused from the normal practice of exhaustion of alternate remedies. alternate remedies.

The Petition is dismissed with liberties in the above terms. No The Petition is dismissed with liberties in the above terms. No costs. costs. All concerned are to act on an authenticated copy of this order. All concerned are to act on an authenticated copy of this order. (Jitendra Jain, J.) (M. S. Sonak, J.) 2 (2025) 137 GSTR 601 Signed by: Sayyed Saeed Ali Designation: PA To Honourable Judge Date: 31/07/2025 11:11:32