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2019 (10) TMI 665 - HC - GSTConfiscation of goods or conveyance - imposition of penalty - non-production of invoice or the e-way bill - contravention to the provisions of sub-section (4) of section 130 of the CGST Act - Principles of natural justice - HELD THAT:- In terms of clauses (i) and (iv) of sub-section (1) section 130 of the CGST Act, the goods can be confiscated provided that the person supplies or receives goods in contravention of the provisions of the Act or the rules made thereunder with the intent to evade payment of tax; or contravenes any provisions of the Act and the rules made thereunder with the intent to evade payment of tax respectively. Insofar as clauses (ii) and (iii) are concerned, the very fact that the person does not account for the goods on which he is liable to pay tax under the Act; or supplies any goods which are liable to tax under the Act without having applied for registration, would be sufficient for ordering confiscation of the goods. Therefore, while making an order of confiscation under section 130 of the CGST Act, the officer adjudging it will have to state as to which clause of sub-section (1) of section 130 of the CGST Act is attracted in the facts of the said case. In the present case, the impugned order is totally silent as regards which provision of the Act or the rules has been contravened; which clause of sub-section (1) of section 130 of the CGST Act is attracted in the present case; and as to why the officer adjudging it has come to the conclusion that there is contravention of the provisions of the Act and the rules made thereunder with the intent to evade payment of tax. Sub-section (2) of section 130 of the CGST Act provides that the fine leviable shall not exceed the market value of the goods, less the tax chargeable thereon. It is, therefore, clear that the fine provided under the first proviso to sub-section (2) of section 130 of the CGST Act is the maximum fine leviable. Consequently, the proper officer adjudging the case is required to examine the seriousness of the contravention and impose fine accordingly. It is not as if in every case the proper officer should levy the maximum fine. The order of confiscation should, therefore, reflect due application of mind on the part of the proper officer to the quantum of fine imposed by him. In ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, COMMERCIAL TAX DEPARTMENT, WORKS CONTRACT & LEASING, KOTA VERSUS M/S SHUKLA & BROTHERS [2010 (4) TMI 139 - SUPREME COURT] the Supreme Court has held that giving reasons in support of the conclusions arrived at is an ingredient of the principles of natural justice. Thus, the impugned order is in breach of the principles of natural justice on two counts: firstly, that though the matter was kept for hearing on 28.08.2019, the second respondent passed the impugned order on 24.08.2019 without affording any opportunity of hearing to the petitioner; and secondly, because the impugned order is a totally non-speaking order which does not reflect the reason as to why the proper officer has come to the conclusion that the goods and the conveyance are liable to be confiscated, which renders the order unsustainable - petition allowed by way of remand.
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