Court Orders Petitioner to Pay Tax for Goods Release

The court ordered the petitioner, a registered dealer challenging a goods detention notice, to pay a tax amount of Rs. 25,000 for the release of the detained goods. The court directed the petitioner to pay the tax to the respondent and disposed of the writ petition, allowing the release of the goods upon payment. The petitioner was advised of the option to challenge the compounding fee before the competent authority as per legal procedures.

---

---

Issues:
Challenge to goods detention notice dated 02.01.2016 and seeking release of detained goods.

Analysis:
The petitioner, a registered dealer under the Tamil Nadu Value Added Tax Act and Central Sales Tax Act, filed a writ petition challenging a goods detention notice issued by the respondent. The petitioner, a manufacturer of steel bars and trips, transported 16.145 MT of TMT bars to their godown at Bangalore on 02.01.2016. The goods were detained by the respondent as the vehicle did not pass through the established check post route. The petitioner contended that the goods were transported with valid documents like Form JJ and Etransit pass, intended for delivery at Bangalore. The petitioner claimed that the driver inadvertently took a different route to reach Bangalore quickly. The respondent alleged that the goods were transported without valid documents to avoid tax liability, leading to the detention of goods and issuance of the impugned notice.

Upon hearing both parties and examining the evidence, the court found that the petitioner should pay a tax amount of Rs. 25,000 for the release of the detained goods. The court, considering the circumstances, directed the petitioner to pay the tax to the respondent for the release of the goods. The court disposed of the writ petition with this order, allowing the goods' release upon payment of the specified tax amount. The petitioner was also informed of the option to challenge the compounding fee before the competent authority as per legal procedures.

---