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TMI BlogNon Bailable offences under Service Tax do not have retrospective effectX X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... Non Bailable offences under Service Tax do not have retrospective effect X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... TA HIGH COURT } on following issue: Issue: Whether assessee can be denied bail under Section 89(1)(d)(ii) of the Finance Act, 1994 ("the Finance Act") read with Sections 90 and 91 thereof as amended/ introduced vide the Finance Act, 2013 (w.e.f May 10, 2013), for non - payment of service tax exceeding Rs. 50 lakhs collected during the period prior to May 10, 2013, on pretext that the offence bei ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ng a continuing one? Facts & Background: Mr. Sudip Das ("the assessee" or "the Petitioner") was arrested by the Department under Section 89(1)(d)(ii) of the Finance Act read with Sections 90 and 91 thereof, as amended/ introduced by the Finance Act 2013, for non-payment of service tax exceeding Rs. 50 lakhs collected from the customers during the period 2008-2012. Relevant extracts of the said ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... Sections of the Finance Act are reproduced below for ease of reference: "89. Offences and penalties. - (1) Whoever commits any of the following offences, namely, - * …………..;or * …………..; or * …………..; or * collects any amount as service tax but fails to pay the amount so collected to the credit of the Cen ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... tral Government beyond a period of six months from the date on which such payment becomes due, shall be punishable, - * ………….. * in the case of the offence specified in clause (d), where the amount exceeds fifty lakh rupees, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years……. "90. Cognizance of offences (1) An offence under clause (ii) ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... of sub-section (1) of section 89 shall be cognizable. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973(2 of 1974), all offences, except the offences specified in sub-section (1), shall be non-cognizable and bailable." "91. Power to arrest (1) If the Commissioner of Central Excise has reason to believe that any person has committed an offence specified in clause ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... (i) or clause (ii) of sub-section (1) of section 89, he may, by general or special order, authorise any officer of Central Excise, not below the rank of Superintendent of Central Excise, to arrest such person………" The assessee argued that since the alleged offence arose between the period 2008-2012, was Bailable and cognizability/ non-bailability was introduced vide the Finan ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ce Act, 2013 which was effective from May 10, 2013 and not retrospective. Therefore, assessee was eligible for bail. The Department denied bail to the assessee alleging that the offence is a continuing one and is alive even today, therefore, amended provisions are applicable. Being aggrieved by the Contention of the Department, the assessee filed petition before the Hon'ble High Court of Calcutta ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... . Held: It is held by the Hon'ble High Court of Calcutta that the amendment brought vide the Finance Act, 2013 does not have any retrospective effect, therefore, question of bailability and non-bailability almost comes to a point of merger, benefit of which should be extended to accused person. It was further held by the Hon'ble High Court of Calcutta that even though the alleged offence is ali ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ve till now but it is equally correct that when it was originated, alleged offence was bailable as per law. Hence, bail was granted subject to certain conditions. Therefore, the Hon'ble High Court of Calcutta rejected the contention of the Department and decided the case in favour of the assessee/ Petitioner. Hope the information will assist you in your Professional endeavours. In case of any q ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... uery/ information, please do not hesitate to write back to us. Thanks & Best Regards. Bimal Jain FCA, FCS, LLB, B.Com (Hons) Flat No. 34B, Ground Floor, Pocket - 1, Mayur Vihar, Phase - I, Delhi - 110091, India Desktel: +91-11-22757595/ 42427056 Mobile: +91 9810604563 Email: bimaljain at the rate of hotmail.com Web: www.a2ztaxcorp.com Disclaimer: The contents of this document are solely ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... for informational purpose. It does not constitute professional advice or recommendation of firm. Neither the authors nor firm and its affiliates accepts any liabilities for any loss or damage of any kind arising out of any information in this document nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Readers are advised to consult the professional for understanding applicability of this newsletter ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... in the respective scenarios. While due care has been taken in preparing this document, the existence of mistakes and omissions herein is not ruled out. No part of this document should be distributed or copied (except for personal, non-commercial use) without our written permission. X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X
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