Fabworth Promoters Private Limited And Anr. vs. Union Of INDIA And Anr.
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The petitioners, Fabworth Promoters Private Limited & Anr., challenged an order dated May 3, 2024, passed by the Commissioner, CGST and Central Excise, Kolkata South Commissionerate. This order confirmed allegations of irregular credit availment and imposed penalties. The petitioners argued the order was time-barred, that Section 73 of the Finance Act, 1994, was wrongly invoked, and that they were denied an adequate hearing, with crucial documents seized by another CGST authority. They also highlighted a completion certificate from an architect empanelled with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation that was allegedly disregarded. The respondents contended that the seized documents related to different financial years than the assessment period and that adequate hearing was provided, justifying the invocation of Section 73 for an extended limitation period.
Held
The Court held that paragraph 6(2) of the impugned order indicated that an adequate opportunity of hearing was provided to the petitioners, thus refuting the claim of violation of natural justice. Regarding limitation, the Court noted that the authority invoked Section 73 of the Finance Act, 1994, with reasons, and therefore, it could not be concluded that the order was barred by limitation. However, the Court stated that whether the authority was justified in invoking Section 73 was a matter to be agitated by the petitioners. The Court found no scope for interference under Article 226 of the Constitution of India due to the existence of an efficacious alternative statutory remedy. The Court directed that the petitioners be permitted to prefer an appeal before the Central Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal within three weeks, and the appellate authority was directed to condone the delay in filing the appeal under Section 86(5) of the Finance Act, 1994. The Court explicitly stated it had not adjudicated on the merits, including jurisdiction and limitation, leaving these to the Tribunal. The petitioners were also permitted to place a discharge certificate regarding settled Cen VAT credit before the appellate authority.
Key Issues
1. Whether the impugned order dated May 3, 2024, is barred by limitation, and if so, whether Section 73 of the Finance Act, 1994, was justifiably invoked by the respondent authority? (Mixed question of law and fact) 2. Whether the petitioners were afforded an adequate opportunity of hearing prior to the issuance of the impugned order, thereby adhering to the principles of natural justice? (Question of law) Petitioner's arguments: The petitioners contended that the order was barred by limitation and that Section 73 of the Finance Act, 1994, should not have been invoked. They also argued that they were not given a proper hearing and that essential documents, seized by the Superintendent, Anti-Evasion, CGST and Central Excise, Kolkata North Commissionerate, were unavailable. Furthermore, they asserted that a completion certificate from a KMC-empanelled architect was disregarded. Respondent's arguments: The respondents argued that the seized documents pertained to financial years 2017-18 and 2018-19, while the assessment concerned 2014-15 to 2016-17. They maintained that the petitioners received an adequate opportunity of hearing and that the authority was justified in invoking Section 73 of the Finance Act, 1994, to avail the extended limitation period.
Sections Cited
Section 73, Section 86(5)
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2026 Sl No.2 Ct. No.237
S.A.
WPA 24073 of 2024
Fabworth Promoters Private Limited & Anr. -vs- Union of India & Anr.
Mr. Mainak Bose Mr. Ajay Sanwaria
…for the petitioners Mr. Kaushik Dey Mr. Anurag Roy
…for answering respondent Ms. Manasi Mukherjee Mr. Dijitesh Mukherjee
…for respondent
The petitioners challenge an order dated May 3, 2024, passed by the Commissioner, CGST and Central Excise, Kolkata South Commissionerate, whereby the Commissioner confirmed the allegation of irregular availment of credit by the petitioners and imposed consequential penalties. Mr. Mainak Bose, learned senior advocate appearing on behalf of the petitioners, submits that the order is barred by limitation. It is contended that, in the facts and circumstances of the case, there was no justification for invoking Section 73 of the Finance Act, 1994. It is further submitted that the petitioners were not afforded an adequate opportunity of hearing prior to the issuance of the impugned order. The relevant documents upon which the petitioners intended to rely were seized by the Superintendent, Anti-Evasion, CGST and Central Excise, Kolkata
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North Commissionerate. It is also contended that the authority ought not to have disregarded the completion certificate issued by the concerned architect empanelled with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. Learned counsel appearing for the respondents, on the other hand, submits that the seized documents pertain to the financial years 2017–18 and 2018–19, whereas the impugned assessment relates to the financial years 2014–15 to 2016–17. It is further submitted that the petitioners were granted an adequate opportunity of hearing and that, in the facts of the case, the authority was justified in invoking Section 73 of the Finance Act, 1994 so as to avail the extended period of limitation. Upon consideration, this Court is of the view that paragraph 6(2) of the impugned order dated May 3, 2024 clearly indicates that an adequate opportunity of hearing was afforded to the petitioners. Accordingly, it cannot be said that the principles of natural justice have been violated. The authority, in the present case, purported to invoke Section 73 of the Finance Act, 1994 by assigning reasons. In such circumstances, it cannot be concluded that the order is barred by limitation. Whether the authority was justified in invoking Section 73 of the said Act may be agitated by the petitioners; however, an alleged erroneous
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assumption of juri iction, ipso facto, does not constitute a ground for interference by this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, particularly in the presence of an efficacious alternative statutory remedy. This Court is further of the view that there is no scope for interference with the impugned order dated May 3, 2024 within the limited ambit of judicial review under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. The petitioners have an alternative remedy by way of appeal, wherein they may contest the matter on merits, including the invocation of Section 73 of the Finance Act, 1994. It appears that the impugned order dated May 3, 2024 was challenged by filing the present writ petition on September 20, 2024. However, in the facts and circumstances of the case, this Court is of the view that the petitioners ought to be permitted to prefer an appeal before the Central Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal. If the petitioners file such an appeal within a period of three weeks from the date of this order, the appellate authority shall condone the delay in filing
the appeal in terms of Section 86(5) of the Finance Act, 1994. It is made clear that this Court has not entered into the merits of the case, including the issues relating to juri iction and limitation as raised by the 4
petitioners. The Tribunal shall be at liberty to adjudicate upon such issues in accordance with law. After the order was dictated, it was submitted by Mr. Mainak Bose, learned senior advocate appearing for the petitioners, that the demand in respect of the Cen VAT credit has already been settled between the parties and that a discharge certificate has been issued by the competent authority. The petitioners shall be at liberty to place the said discharge certificate before the appellate authority for its consideration. Accordingly, WPA 24073 of 2024 stands disposed of. Urgent photostat certified copy of this order, if applied for, be supplied to the learned advocates for the parties on usual undertakings.
(Kausik Chanda, J.)
Reproduced from the public record of the Calcutta High Court. Verify against the court's own copy before relying on it. Income tax judgments are on bharattax.net.