High Court quashes assessment orders, stresses fair hearing

The Madras High Court, under the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, set aside three assessment orders due to a violation of natural justice principles regarding personal hearing notice and same-day assessment. The Court emphasized the importance of providing a realistic opportunity for parties to present their case effectively. It directed the issuance of a fresh notice to the petitioner for a fair hearing within eight weeks, ensuring compliance with the law. The writ petitions were disposed of without costs to either party.

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Issues: Challenge to three assessment orders under the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 for the periods 2017-18 to 2019-20; Violation of principles of natural justice regarding personal hearing notice and same-day assessment.

The judgment delivered by Honorable Dr. Justice Anita Sumanth of the Madras High Court pertains to the challenge against three assessment orders dated 14.02.2020 under the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 for the periods 2017-18 to 2019-20. The main contention raised was the violation of the principles of natural justice, specifically regarding the lack of an effective opportunity for the petitioner during the assessment process. The learned Special Government Pleader acknowledged that the personal hearing notice issued on 13.02.2020 for a hearing on 14.02.2020 did not provide sufficient time for the petitioner to prepare and present their case adequately.

In the judgment, reference was made to a decision by a learned Single Judge of the Court highlighting the importance of allowing sufficient time for parties to present their objections during assessments. The Judge emphasized the need for a realistic and effective opportunity for individuals to state their case, rather than a notional or impractical timeframe. It was noted that fixing a specific hour of a day as a deadline for submissions could be detrimental to the principles of natural justice, especially when the assessing authority finalizes the assessment on the same day as the hearing.

Based on the discussion and legal principles outlined, the Court set aside the impugned assessment orders and directed that a fresh notice be issued to the petitioner to enable them to appear and present their submissions. The Court mandated that any subsequent orders should be passed within eight weeks from the date of the first hearing, ensuring compliance with the law. The writ petitions were disposed of accordingly, and connected miscellaneous petitions were closed without imposing any costs on either party.

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