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2023 (8) TMI 1153 - HC - Service TaxDelayed adjudication of show cause notice (about 12 years) - Interpretation of Section 73(4B) of FA, 1994 - HELD THAT:- From a plain reading of the provisions of Section 73(4B) and more particularly, in the context of the legislative intent in introducing sub- section (4B), such contention as urged by the respondent cannot be accepted that there is no mandate on the concerned officer of the department to decide the show cause notices expeditiously, and / or the timelines which are set out in sub-section (4B) would be required to be held to be merely directory, as the provision would make an allowance for a belated adjudication of the show cause notice. The legislature providing that the determination be made within six months from the date of the notice as provided for in clause (a) of sub-section (4B) is concerned, cannot be read to nullify or attaching no weightage to the timelines so prescribed. It can however, be acceptable that a reasonable / plausible delay beyond six months may in a given case be justified depending on the facts and circumstances of the case, for reasons which do not make it possible for the adjudicating officer to conclude the proceedings of the show cause notice. When the legislature uses the words ‘where it is possible to do so’ in clauses (a) and (b), the legislature is conscious of some free play which is required to be made available to the adjudicating officer. However, such limited relaxation cannot be intended to mean that it would defeat the sanctity and purpose for which the period of six months and one year has been set out to clause (a) and (b) of sub-section (4B) - The word ‘where it is possible to do so’ thus cannot be read to defeat the timelines of six months and one year as set out in clauses (a) and (b) of sub-section (4B). Also these words cannot be construed to mean that by use of such words a complete freedom is available to the adjudicating officer to adjudicate the show cause notice at his own sweet will, much less, with such inordinate delay as in the present case which is of almost more than 12 years. There are no acceptable reason in facts or in law, which would make it possible for respondent no. 2, in such circumstances, namely, of two statutory events of merger and amalgamation having taken place, to subrogate the petitioner for IDFC Ltd. for adjudicating the show cause notice nor can the petitioner effectively participate in the belated adjudication of such show cause notice, by having a reasonable chance of defending the same in the absence of any material available to the petitioner, as noted by us above, even assuming the original noticee was to exist. Petition allowed.
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