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in

Penalties & Offences in GST

CA Arun Chhajer
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Section 132. Punishment for certain offences.
a) supplies any G / S or both without issue of any invoice, with the intention to evade tax;
b) issues invoice without supply leading to wrongful availment or utilisation of ITC or refund of tax;
c) avails ITC using the invoice referred to in clause (b) or fraudulently avails ITC without invoice or bill;
d) collects any amount as tax but fails to pay the same to the Govt. beyond 3 months from due date
e) evades tax [fraudulently avails ITC" ] or fraudulently obtains refund and where such offence is not
covered under clauses (a) to (d);
f) falsifies financial records or produces fake accounts / information with an intention to evade tax;
g) obstructs or prevents any officer in the discharge of his duties under this Act;
h) acquires possession, or transporting, removing, depositing, keeping, concealing, supplying, or in
any other manner deals with, any goods which he knows or has reasons to believe are liable to
confiscation;
i) receives or is in any way concerned with, or in any other manner deals with any supply of services
which he knows or has reasons to believe are in contravention;
j) tampers with or destroys any material evidence or documents;
k) fails to supply any information or supplies false information; or
l) attempts to commit, or abets the commission of any of the offences mentioned in clauses (a) to (k)
of this section, shall be punishable

CA Arun Chhajer
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Section 132. Punishment for certain offences.
shall be punishable in cases –

(i) where tax evaded or ITC wrongly availed or utilised or refund wrongly taken > Rs 5 Cr , with
imprisonment extend to 5 years and with fine;
(ii) where tax evaded or the amount of input tax credit wrongly availed or utilised or the amount of refund
wrongly taken > Rs 2 Cr but upto Rs 5 Cr, with imprisonment upto 3 Year and with fine;

(iii) Any other offence where tax evaded or ITC wrongly availed or utilised or refund wrongly taken > Rs 1 Cr
but upto Rs 2 Cr, with imprisonment extend to 1 year and with fine;

(iv) in cases where he commits or abets the commission of an offence specified in clause (f) or clause (g) or
clause (j), he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with
fine or with both.

Cross Linking -
(f) falsifies financial records or produces fake accounts / information with an intention to evade tax;
(g) obstructs or prevents any officer in the discharge of his duties under this Act;
(j) tampers with or destroys any material evidence or documents;
CA Arun Chhajer
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Section 132. Punishment for certain offences.
(2) Where any person convicted of an offence under this section is again convicted of an offence under this section, then,
he shall be punishable for the 2nd & for every subsequent offence with imprisonment extend to 5 years and with fine.

(3) The imprisonment referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of sub-section (1) and sub-section (2) shall, in the absence of
special and adequate reasons to the contrary to be recorded in the judgment of the Court, be for a term not less than six
months.

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, all offences under this Act, except the
offences referred to in sub-section (5) shall be noncognizable and bailable.

(5) The offences specified in clause (a) or clause (b) or clause (c) or clause (d) of sub-section (1) and punishable under
clause (i) of that sub-section shall be cognizable and non-bailable.

(6) A person shall not be prosecuted for any offence under this section except with the previous sanction of the
Commissioner.

Explanation.— For the purposes of this section, the term “tax” shall include the amount of tax evaded or the amount of
input tax credit wrongly availed or utilised or refund wrongly taken under the provisions of this Act, the State Goods and
Services Tax Act, the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act or the Union Territory Goods and Services Tax Act and cess
levied under the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Act.

CA Arun Chhajer
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Section 132. Punishment for certain offences.
(2) Where any person convicted of an offence under this section is again convicted of an offence under this section, then,
he shall be punishable for the 2nd & for every subsequent offence with imprisonment extend to 5 years and with fine.

(3) The imprisonment referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of sub-section (1) and sub-section (2) shall, in the absence of
special and adequate reasons to the contrary to be recorded in the judgment of the Court, be for a term not less than six
months.

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, all offences under this Act, except the
offences referred to in sub-section (5) shall be noncognizable and bailable.

(5) The offences specified in clause (a) or clause (b) or clause (c) or clause (d) of sub-section (1) and punishable under
clause (i) of that sub-section shall be cognizable and non-bailable.

(6) A person shall not be prosecuted for any offence under this section except with the previous sanction of the
Commissioner.

Explanation.— For the purposes of this section, the term “tax” shall include the amount of tax evaded or the amount of
input tax credit wrongly availed or utilised or refund wrongly taken under the provisions of this Act, the State Goods and
Services Tax Act, the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act or the Union Territory Goods and Services Tax Act and cess
levied under the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Act.

CA Arun Chhajer
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Section 137. offences by companies
(1) Where an offence committed by a person is a company, every person who, was in charge of, and was
responsible for conduct of business of the company, as well as the company, shall be deemed to be guilty
of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an offence has been committed by a
company and it is proved that it has been committed with the consent or is attributable to any negligence
on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other officer of the company, such person shall also be
deemed to be guilty and be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

(3) Where an offence committed by a taxable person being a partnership firm or a LLP or a HUF or a trust,
the partner or karta or managing trustee shall be deemed to be guilty and be liable to be proceeded.

(4) Nothing contained in this section shall render any such person liable to any punishment provided in this
Act, if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he had exercised all due
diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.

Explanation.––For the purposes of this section,––

(i) “company” means a body corporate and includes a firm or other association of individuals; and
(ii) “director”, in relation to a firm, means a partner in the firm
CA Arun Chhajer
 Section 138. CompoundingStudycafe.in
of offences (See Rule 162)
(1) Any offence under this Act may, either before or after the institution of prosecution, be compounded by
the Commissioner on payment, by the person accused of the offence, to the Central Government or the
State Government, as the case be, of such compounding amount in such manner as may be prescribed:

Provided that nothing contained in this section shall apply to -

(a) a person who has been allowed to compound once in respect of offences specified in section 132(1) (a)
to (f) and clause (l) which are relatable to offences specified in clauses (a) to (f) of the said sub-section;
(b) a person who has been allowed to compound once in respect of any offence, other than those in clause
(a), under this Act or under the provisions of any State Goods and Services Tax Act or the Union Territory
Goods and Services Tax Act or the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act in respect of supplies of value
exceeding one crore rupees;
(c) a person committing an offence under this Act which is also an offence under any other law;
(d) a person who has been convicted for an offence under this Act by a court;
(e) a person committing an offence clause (g) or clause (j) or clause (k) of sub-section (1) of section 132; and
(f) any other class of persons or offences as may be prescribed:

Provided further that any compounding shall not affect the proceedings, instituted under any other law:

Provided also that compounding shall be allowed only after making payment of tax/interest/penalty
CA Arun Chhajer
 Section 138. CompoundingStudycafe.in
of offences (See Rule 162)
Rule 162
(1) An applicant may, either before or after the institution of prosecution, make an application under sub-
section (1) of section 138 in FORM GST CPD-01 to the Commissioner for compounding of an offence.
(2) On receipt of the application, the Commissioner shall call for a report from the concerned officer with
reference to the particulars furnished in the application, or any other information,
(3) The Commissioner, may, by order in FORM GST CPD-02, on being satisfied that the applicant has co-
operated allow the application indicating the compounding amount or reject within 90 days
(4) The application shall not be decided without affording an opportunity of being heard to the applicant
and recording the grounds of such rejection.
(5) The application shall not be allowed unless the tax, interest and penalty have been paid
(6) The applicant shall, within a period of thirty days from the date of the receipt of the order under sub-
rule (3), pay the compounding amount and shall furnish the proof of such payment to him.
(7) In case the applicant fails to pay the compounding amount within the time specified in sub-rule (6), the
order made under sub-rule (3) shall be vitiated and be void.
(8) Immunity granted to a person under sub-rule (3) may, at any time, be withdrawn by the Commissioner, if
he is satisfied that such person had, in the course of the compounding proceedings, concealed any
material particulars or had given false evidence.

CA Arun Chhajer
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Section 69:
Power to Arrest
 Powers to Studycafe.in
Arrestto[Section
Power Arrest 69 of CGST Act]

When can someone be arrested under GST?

If the Commissioner of CGST/SGST believes a person has committed an offence u/s 132,
he can be arrested by any authorised CGST/SGST officer

The arrested person will be informed about the grounds of his arrest. He will appear
before the magistrate within 24 hours in case of cognizable offence.
 Powers to Studycafe.in
Arrestto[Section
Power Arrest 69 of CGST Act]
(1) Where the Commissioner has reasons to believe that a person has committed any offence specified in clause
(a) or clause (b) or clause (c) or clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 132 which is punishable under clause
(i) or (ii) of sub-section (1), or sub-section (2) of the said section, he may, by order, authorise any officer of
central tax to arrest such person.

Sec 132 Which are punishable

Offenses u/s 132 where arrest provisions become applicable- with
1. A taxable person supplies any goods/services without any invoice or In cases where the amount of tax
issues a false invoice (Sec 132(1)(a) evaded or the amount of input tax
Power to Arrest credit wrongly availed or utilised
2. He issues any invoice or bill without supply of goods/services in violation
of the provisions of GST (Sec 132(1)(b) or the amount of refund wrongly
taken
3. avails input tax credit using such invoice or bill referred to in clause (b);
(i) exceeds INR 5 Cr, with
(Sec 132(1)(c) imprisonment for a term which
4. Collects any amount as tax but fails to pay the same to the Government may extend to 5 years and with
beyond a period of three months from the date on which such payment fine;
becomes due; (Sec 132(1)(d) (ii) exceeds INR 2 Cr but does not
exceed INR 5 Cr., with
He has already been convicted of an earlier u/s 132 i.e., this is his 2nd imprisonment for a term which
offense. (Section 132(2)) may extend to 3 years and with
fine
 Powers to Studycafe.in
Arrestto[Section
Power Arrest 69 of CGST Act]
Sec 69(2) Where a person is arrested under sub-section (1) for an offence specified under
subsection (5) of section 132, the officer authorised to arrest the person shall inform such
person of the grounds of arrest and produce him before a Magistrate within 24 hours.

Section 132 Punishment for certain offences

(5) The offences specified in clause (a) or clause (b) or clause (c) or clause (d) of sub-section (1)
and punishable under clause (i) of that sub-section shall be cognizable and non-bailable.

What is the difference between a cognizable and a non-cognizable offense?

Cognizable offenses are those where the police can arrest a person without any arrest warrant. They
are serious crimes like murder robbery, counterfeiting. Non-cognizable offenses are those, where a
police officer cannot arrest a person without a warrant issued by competent authority. They are less
serious crimes like public nuisance, assault.
 Powers to Studycafe.in
Arrestto[Section
Power Arrest 69 of CGST Act]

(3) Subject to the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973,–

(a) where a person is arrested under sub-section (1) for any offence specified under sub-section (4) of
section 132, he shall be admitted to bail or in default of bail, forwarded to the custody of the
Magistrate;

(b) in the case of a non-cognizable and bailable offence, the Deputy Commissioner or the Assistant
Commissioner shall, for the purpose of releasing an arrested person on bail or otherwise, have the
same powers and be subject to the same provisions as an officer-in-charge of a police station.

Section 132 Punishment for certain offences

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, all offences under this
Act, except the offences referred to in sub-section (5) shall be non-cognizable and bailable.
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OFFENCES AND PENALTIES UNDER GST

OFFENCES AND PENALTIES UNDER GST

1. MEANING OF OFFENCE
2. OFFENCES UNDER GST
3. MEANING OF PENALTY
4. COMMON OFFENCES UNDER GST AND THEIR
PENALTIES
5. SITUATIONS WHERE THERE IS NO PENALTY (BUT
INTEREST MAY APPLY)
6. CAN YOU BE JAILED?
7. GENERAL RULES REGARDING PENALTY
8. MINOR BREACHES UNDER GST
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Offences under GST
There are 21 offences under GST (Sec 122(1))
Fake/wrong invoices
1. A taxable person supplies any goods/services without any invoice or issues a false
invoice.
2. He issues any invoice or bill without supply of goods/services in violation of the
provisions of GST
3. He issues invoices using the identification number of another bonafide taxable person
Fraud
4. He submits false information while registering under GST
5. He submits fake financial records/documents or files fake returns to evade tax
6. Does not provide information/gives false information during proceedings
Tax evasion
7. He collects any GST but does not submit it to the government within 3 months
8. Even if he collects any GST in contravention of provisions, he still has to deposit it to the
government within 3 months. Failure to do so will be an offence under GST.
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Offences under GST
9. He obtains refund of any CGST/SGST by fraud.
10. He takes and/or utilizes input tax credit without actual receipt of goods and/or services
11. He deliberately suppresses his sales to evade tax
Supply/transport of goods
12. He transports goods without proper documents
13. Supplies/transports goods which he knows will be confiscated
14. Destroys/tampers goods which have been seized
Others
15. He has not registered under GST although he is required to by law
16. He does not deduct TDS or deducts less amount where applicable.
17. He does not collect TCS or collects less amount where applicable.
18. Being an Input Service Distributor, he takes or distributes input tax credit in violation of the rules
19. He obstructs the proper officer during his duty (for example, he hinders the officer during the
audit by tax authorities)
20. He does not maintain all the books that he required to maintain by law
21. He destroys any evidence
For the 21 offences above, for fraud cases, penalty will be 100% of tax (minimum Rs. 10,000)
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Offences under GST

122. Penalty for certain offences

(1)Where a taxable person who
(2)Any registered person who
(3)Any person who
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SecSEC 73(1)
73/74 of &CGST
74(1)Act

• It provides for Determination of tax

Erroneously ITC Wrongly ITC wrongly

Not Paid Short-Paid
Refunded availed utilised

• 74(1) applies when there is

• Fraud
• Wilful - misstatement of facts or
• Suppression to evade tax

• 73(1) applies when those conditions do not exist

 SEC 73(1)/74(1) Studycafe.in
: ISSUE OF NOTICE
Sec 73/74 of CGST Act (SCN)
• Proper officer has to serve notice
• On person chargeable with tax
• To show cause as to why he should not pay the amount specified in the notice along with interest
payable thereon under section 50 and a penalty leviable under the provisions of this Act or the rules
made thereunder.

Sec 74(1) - Where it appears to the proper officer that any tax has not been paid or short paid or
erroneously refunded or where input tax credit has been wrongly availed or utilised by reason of fraud, or
any wilful-misstatement or suppression of facts to evade tax, he shall serve notice on the person chargeable
with tax which has not been so paid or which has been so short paid or to whom the refund has
erroneously been made, or who has wrongly availed or utilised input tax credit, requiring him to show
cause as to why he should not pay the amount specified in the notice along with interest payable thereon
under section 50 and a penalty equivalent to the tax specified in the notice.
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Notice (SCN) & issue
Sec of CGST Act of Order
The proper officer shall issue the notice under sub-section (1) at least three months prior to the time
limit specified in sub-section (10) for issuance of order.
• Sec 73(10) - Order under 73(9) to be issued within three years from the due date for filing of
annual return for the year to which the tax relates or, as the case may be, within three years from
the date of erroneous refund.
The proper officer shall issue the notice under sub-section (1) at least six months prior to the time limit
specified in sub-section (10) for issuance of order.

• Sec 74(10) - Order under 74(9) to be issued within five years from the due date for filing of annual
return for the year to which the tax relates or, as the case may be, within five years from the date
of erroneous refund.
Sec 73(9) The proper officer shall, after considering the representation, determine the amount of tax, interest and a
penalty equivalent to 10% of tax or Rs 10,000, whichever is higher, due from such person and issue an order.
Sec 74(9) - The proper officer shall, after considering the representation, if any, determine the amount of tax, interest
and penalty due from such person and issue an order.[Rule 142]

Rule 142. Notice and order for demand of amounts payable

(1) The proper officer shall serve, along with the
(2) (a) notice issued under section 52 or 73 or 74 or 76 or 122 or 123 or 124 or 125 or 127 or 129 or 130, a summary
thereof electronically in FORM GST DRC-01,
 SEC 73(3) (4), 74(3) Studycafe.in OF DEMAND (SOD)
Sec& 73/74
74(4) : STATEMENT
of CGST Act
• Applies for periodical Notices
• Already Notice is issued for other period
• No need for another SCN
• Only statement enough containing details of tax/ITC
• Grounds relied upon is same as earlier SCN
Sec 73(3)/74(3) - Where a notice has been issued for any period under sub-section (1), the proper officer may serve a statement,
containing the details of tax not paid or short paid or erroneously refunded or input tax credit wrongly availed or utilised for such
periods other than those covered under sub-section (1), on the person chargeable with tax.
Rule 142. Notice and order for demand of amounts payable under the Act.-
(1) The proper officer shall serve, along with the
(b) statement under sub-section (3) of section 73 or sub-section (3) of section 74, a summary thereof electronically in FORM GST
DRC-02, specifying therein the details of the amount payable.

Sec 73(4) The service of such statement shall be deemed to be service of notice on such person under sub-section (1), subject to the
condition that the grounds relied upon for such tax periods other than those covered under sub-section (1) are the same as are
mentioned in the earlier notice.
Sec 74(4) The service of statement under sub-section (3) shall be deemed to be service of notice under sub-section (1) of section 73,
subject to the condition that the grounds relied upon in the said statement, except the ground of fraud, or any wilful-misstatement or
suppression of facts to evade tax, for periods other than those covered under sub-section (1) are the same as are mentioned in the
earlier notice.
 PAYMENT Studycafe.in
BEFORE SCN/SOD
Sec 73/74 of CGST Act
SEC 73(5),73(6) & 73(7) SEC 74(5), 74(6) & 74(7)
(5) The person chargeable with tax may, before service of (5) The person chargeable with tax may, before SCN under
notice under sub-section (1) or, the statement under sub- sub-section (1), pay the amount of tax along with interest
section (3), pay the amount of tax along with interest payable under section 50 and a penalty equivalent to 15%
payable thereon under section 50 on the basis of his own of such tax on the basis of his own ascertainment of such
ascertainment of such tax or the tax as ascertained by the tax or the tax as ascertained by the proper officer and
proper officer and inform the proper officer in writing of inform the proper officer in writing of such payment. [See
such payment. [See Rule 142(2)] Rule 142(2)]
(6) The proper officer, on receipt of such information, (6) The proper officer, on receipt of such information,
shall not serve any notice under sub-section (1) or, as the shall not serve any notice under sub-section (1), in respect
case may be, the statement under sub-section (3), in of the tax so paid or any penalty payable under the
respect of the tax so paid or any penalty payable under provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder.
the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder.
(7) Where the proper officer is of the opinion that the Same as Sec 73(7)
amount paid under sub-section (5) falls short of the
amount actually payable, he shall proceed to issue the
notice as provided for in sub-section (1) in respect of such
amount which falls short of the amount actually payable.
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SecPayment after
73/74 of SCNAct
CGST
SEC 73(8) SEC 74(8)
(8) Where any person chargeable with tax under sub- (8) Where any person pays the tax along with interest and
section (1) or sub-section (3) pays the said tax along with a penalty equivalent to 25% of such tax within 30 days of
interest within thirty days of issue of SCN, no penalty shall issue of the notice, all proceedings in respect of the said
be payable and all proceedings in respect of the said notice shall be deemed to be concluded. [See Rule 142(3)]
notice shall be deemed to be concluded. [See Rule 142(3)]

Rule 142(3) – Intimate PO of such payment in DRC-03 and

PO shall issue an order in DRC-05 concluding the
proceedings in respect of the said notice.
(11) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (11) Where any person served with an order issued under
(6) or sub-section (8), penalty under sub-section (9) shall sub-section (9) pays the tax along with interest and a
be payable where any amount of self-assessed tax or any penalty equivalent to 50% of such tax within 30 days of
amount collected as tax has not been paid within a period communication of the order, all proceedings in respect of
of thirty days from the due date of payment of such tax. the said notice shall be deemed to be concluded.
(9) The proper officer shall, after considering the representation, if any,
made by person chargeable with tax, determine the amount of tax,
interest and a penalty equivalent to 10% of tax or Rs 10,000, whichever is
higher, due from such person and issue an order.
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GST Interest Liability is Automatic, Leviable only after Completion of Adjudication Proceedings

CASE NAME: Mahadeo Construction Co. Vs Union of India

DATE OF ORDER: 21.04.2020
COURT: Jharkhand High Court

CA Arun Chhajer
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FACTS OF CASE
• The petitioner, being a partnership firm, was registered under the provisions of the CGST Act.
• U/S 39 of the CGST Act, return to be furnished by registered person monthly on or before
20th day of the month succeeding and said return known as GSTR 3.
• Due to the Nationwide problem in GSTN Portal, said GSTR-3 Return, which is an auto populated
return on the basis of details of inward and outward supply, is not being generated, due to
which, by way of stop-gap arrangement, provisions have been incorporated for filing GSTR-3B
Return in terms of Rule 61(5) read with Rule 61(6) of the CGST Rules 2017.
• Petitioner also submit that in GSTN Portal, due date for filing of GSTR 3B Return for the month
of Feb 2018 and Mar 2018 was reflecting as 31st March 2019 and relying on that petitioner filed
its return for Feb and Mar 2018 within the due date as reflected in GSTN Portal, as would be
evident from Annexure-4 of the writ application.
• Superintendent of Goods and Services Tax and Central Excise through a letter directed the
petitioner to make payment of interest on the ground of delay in filing of GSTR-3B Return for
the months of February and March, 2018 and further by exercising power u/s 79 of CGST Act
initiate garnishee proceedings for recovery of aforesaid amount of interest by issuing notice to
the petitioner’s Banker.

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PETITIONER CONTENTION
• Impugned letter dated 08.03.2019 demanding interest amount on the alleged ground of delay in
submitting GSTR-3B Return for the months of Feb and Mar 2018, is not sustainable in the eyes of
law, as the said amount of interest has been determined without initiating any adjudication
process under Sec 73 or 74 of the CGST Act.
• Respondent Authorities have, in a most arbitrary and illegal manner, by adopting extra legal
steps, initiated garnishee proceedings under Section 79 of the CGST Act for recovery of the
amount of interest as petitioner has not admitted its liability of interest, and it cannot be
classified as an amount payable under the Act and/or Rules, necessarily requires adjudication
process and, in absence thereof, initiation of garnishee proceedings is not sustainable in the
eyes of law

CA Arun Chhajer
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RESPONDENT AUTHORITY SUBMISSION
• Recovery of interest not on the ground of delay in filing of GSTR-3B Return, but on the ground of delayed
payment of tax beyond the stipulated date as prescribed under Sec 39(1) read with Sec 39(7) of the CGST Act.
• Default in filing self-assessed monthly statement/ return within the statutory period and payment of admitted
self-assessed tax, which consequentially attracts payment of interest u/s 50 of the CGST Act which contended
that payment of interest is automatic and to be paid by defaulter at his own without initiating any adjudication
process u/s 73 or 74 of the CGST Act and also not applicable to instant case as it not relates to demand and
recovery of tax not paid or short paid either on account of fraud or wilful misstatement or suppression of facts,
or otherwise.
• Due date reflected in GSTN portal 31.03.2019 for GSTR 3B was owing to the fact that CBIC vide N/N 76/2018 dt
31.12.2018 has waived the levy of late fee for furnishing returns for the months of July, 2017 to September,
2018, if the said returns were furnished between the period 22nd December, 2018 to 31st March, 2019, and
the said Notification cannot be interpreted to mean that the last date of filing of GSTR-3B Return has been
extended up to 31st March, 2019.
• After going through with all provisions of related section it was observed that liability of interest u/S 50 of the
CGST Act is automatic, but the said amount of interest is required to be calculated and intimated to an
assessee. If an assessee disputes the liability of interest i.e. either disputes its calculation or even the leviability
of interest, then the only option left for the Assessing Officer is to initiate proceedings either under Section 73
or 74 of the Act for adjudication of the liability of interest.

CA Arun Chhajer
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OBSERVATION AND DECISION BY HIGH COURT
• Sec 79 of the CGST Act empowers the authorities to initiate garnishee proceedings for recovery of
tax where “any amount payable by a person to the Government under any of the provisions of the
Act and Rules made thereunder is not paid”.
• Since in this Judgement, HC held that though the liability of interest is automatic, but the same is
required to be adjudicated in the event an assesse disputes the computation or very leviability of
interest, by initiation of adjudication proceedings under Section 73 or 74 of the CGST Act, in our
opinion, till such adjudication is completed by the Proper Officer, the amount of interest cannot be
termed as an amount payable under the Act or the Rules. Thus, without initiation of any
adjudication proceedings, no recovery proceeding under Section 79 of the Act can be initiated for
recovery of the interest amount.
DECISION
• Impugned order dt 08.03.2019 issued by Respondent and, further, garnishee notice contained in
the Order dt 22.05.2019 issued u/s 79 issued to banker is hereby quashed/set aside.
• It shall be open for the respondent Authorities to initiate appropriate adjudication proceeding
either under Section 73 or 74 of the CGST Act (as the case may be) against the petitioner-assessee
and determine the liability of interest, if any, in accordance with law after giving due opportunity
of hearing to the petitioner
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