Issues: Whether the appellate order rejecting the assessee's appeal without dealing with the grounds raised in the appeal memo and without granting an effective hearing was sustainable.

Analysis: The appellate authority rejected the appeal solely on the ground that the appellant did not remain present for personal hearing, but did not examine the substantive grounds urged in the appeal memo, including breach of natural justice, alleged timely filing of replies, request for personal hearing, and the contention based on Section 75(4) of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017. A reasoned decision was required even if the appellant was absent at the hearing, and the authority could not disregard the pleaded grounds on that account.

Conclusion: The appellate order was unsustainable and was quashed and set aside. The matter was remanded to the appellate authority for fresh decision after giving an opportunity of hearing, and the authority was directed to consider the grounds raised in the appeal memo in accordance with law.

Issues: Allowability of expenditure of Rs. 47.64 crores incurred on settlement of a corporate guarantee invoked against the assessee, as business expenditure under section 37(1) of the Income-tax Act, 1961.

Analysis: The assessee had entered into a corporate guarantee in connection with its group business interests and the liability crystallised through arbitration and subsequent settlement. The expenditure arose from a business-linked arrangement made to protect commercial interests and settle litigation, and the liability could not be denied merely because the Revenue questioned the guarantee at a later stage. The Tribunal treated the payment as flowing from the assessee's business decision and applied the principle that commercial expediency is to be judged from the businessman's point of view, not from the Revenue's substitution of its own view.

Conclusion: The expenditure was allowable as business expenditure under section 37(1), and the disallowance of Rs. 47.64 crores was deleted in favour of the assessee.

Ratio Decidendi: An expenditure incurred to discharge a liability arising from a business-related corporate guarantee, where the payment is made pursuant to settlement of litigation and is commercially expedient, is allowable as revenue expenditure under section 37(1) of the Income-tax Act, 1961.

Issues: (i) Whether exemption under section 54 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 could be denied merely because the agreement to sell was unregistered and the vendor's title was questioned; (ii) Whether the Commissioner (Appeals) violated rule 46A of the Income-tax Rules, 1962 by considering material said to be additional evidence without calling for a remand report.

Issue (i): Whether exemption under section 54 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 could be denied merely because the agreement to sell was unregistered and the vendor's title was questioned.

Analysis: The transfer was supported by substantial payment and possession had been taken. The reasoning accepted that the expression "purchase" in section 54 has a wider meaning and is not confined to a registered sale deed. Reliance was placed on the principle that section 54 is a beneficial provision and must receive purposive interpretation. The transaction was also viewed in the light of section 53A of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882, under which part performance protects a transferee in possession even where the conveyance is not registered. The objection based on title was rejected on facts, since the conveyance deed and mutation record showed the vendor's title had been regularised and the relevant dispute did not bar the transaction on the date of agreement.

Conclusion: The exemption under section 54 was rightly allowed and the Revenue's objection on registration and title failed.

Issue (ii): Whether the Commissioner (Appeals) violated rule 46A of the Income-tax Rules, 1962 by considering material said to be additional evidence without calling for a remand report.

Analysis: The material relied upon by the Commissioner (Appeals) was already on record before the Assessing Officer, and therefore it did not amount to fresh additional evidence requiring compliance with rule 46A. In the absence of any real fresh evidence, the complaint that no remand report was called had no merit.

Conclusion: No violation of rule 46A was established.

Final Conclusion: The appellate order deleting the addition was sustained and the Revenue's challenge failed on both the substantive exemption issue and the procedural objection.

Ratio Decidendi: For section 54, "purchase" is not restricted to a registered conveyance and may be satisfied where the assessee has substantially paid consideration and taken possession in part performance; material already on record cannot be treated as additional evidence so as to attract rule 46A.

Issues: (i) whether cash deposits made during the demonetisation period could be treated as unexplained income under section 68; (ii) whether the land sold was a rural agricultural land outside the ambit of capital asset under section 2(14); (iii) whether the addition made by treating the declared agricultural income as non-genuine was sustainable.

Issue (i): Whether cash deposits made during the demonetisation period could be treated as unexplained income under section 68.

Analysis: The assessee had withdrawn cash before the demonetisation window and supported the deposits with cash flow particulars and books of account. The appellate authority found no serious defect in the books and no material to discredit the explanation that the cash on hand was redeposited within the permitted period after demonetisation. The Tribunal accepted that the deposits were backed by available cash and that the Revenue had not shown any contrary material.

Conclusion: The addition under section 68 was rightly deleted and is not sustainable.

Issue (ii): Whether the land sold was a rural agricultural land outside the ambit of capital asset under section 2(14).

Analysis: The assessee produced documentary evidence including the Tehsildar's certificate, map-based distance material and additional evidence under Rule 46A to show that the land was beyond the prescribed municipal limits. The Assessing Officer did not file any remand report to rebut the evidence. The Tribunal accepted the finding that the distance placed the land outside the definition of capital asset and noted that similar group cases had already been decided in favour of the assessee on identical facts.

Conclusion: The addition towards long-term capital gain was rightly deleted and is not sustainable.

Issue (iii): Whether the addition made by treating the declared agricultural income as non-genuine was sustainable.

Analysis: The assessee's declaration of agricultural income was not disproved by any adverse material or enquiry, and the appellate authority recorded that the assessee had declared net agricultural income. The Tribunal found no basis to interfere with that factual finding.

Conclusion: The addition on account of agricultural income was rightly deleted and is not sustainable.

Final Conclusion: The Revenue's challenge failed on all counts, and the relief granted by the first appellate authority was affirmed in full.

Ratio Decidendi: Where cash deposits are supported by contemporaneous cash withdrawals and an un-rebutted cash flow, and where documentary evidence establishes that land sold is rural agricultural land beyond municipal limits, additions under section 68 and as capital gains cannot be sustained in the absence of contrary material.

Issues: Whether the addition made under section 68 on account of share application money and share premium received from the investor company was sustainable, and whether the assessee had discharged the burden of proving the identity, creditworthiness and genuineness of the transaction.

Analysis: The assessee furnished primary documents including PAN, income-tax returns, bank statements, confirmations, share application forms, allotment records and balance sheets. The investor's identity was not in dispute and the assessing authority had itself issued notices under section 133(6) and summons under section 131, which were complied with by the investor company and its director. The record did not show any specific material linking the assessee to any unexplained circulation of funds or any cash trail from the assessee to the investor. The premium charged for the shares was also treated as commercially justified in light of the assessee's business prospects and the acceptance of comparable investment in the connected matter. The material relied upon from investigation proceedings was held insufficient, by itself, to displace the documentary evidence and the surrounding circumstances supporting genuineness.

Conclusion: The assessee had discharged the burden under section 68, and the addition made in respect of the share capital and share premium was not justified. The deletion of the addition was upheld in favour of the assessee.

Issues: (i) Whether the disallowance of remuneration and related payments under section 40A(2)(b) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 was justified; (ii) Whether the disallowance of foreign travel expenses under section 37 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 was sustainable.

Issue (i): Whether the disallowance of remuneration and related payments under section 40A(2)(b) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 was justified.

Analysis: The statutory test under section 40A(2)(b) requires the expenditure to be shown as excessive or unreasonable having regard to the fair market value of the services or facilities received. The addition was not based on any market comparison or objective material. The Assessing Officer adopted a notional 10% annual increase and relied on a mechanical year-to-year comparison, without establishing fair market value, comparable instances, or any defect in the genuineness of the payments or the services rendered. The accepted treatment of similar payments in earlier scrutiny assessments also supported the assessee's stand.

Conclusion: The disallowance under section 40A(2)(b) was not justified and was correctly deleted in favour of the assessee.

Issue (ii): Whether the disallowance of foreign travel expenses under section 37 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 was sustainable.

Analysis: For allowance under section 37, the expenditure must be shown to have been incurred wholly and exclusively for business purposes. The record contained supporting material for business travel, including travel documents, client correspondence and reimbursement by the associated enterprise. The disallowance was made on a blanket basis merely because no income was directly earned from some destinations during the year. No specific trip or item was shown to be non-business, fabricated, or unsupported by evidence, and the record did not establish any violation warranting interference on the ground of additional evidence.

Conclusion: The foreign travel expenditure was allowable as business expenditure and the deletion of the disallowance was upheld in favour of the assessee.

Final Conclusion: The Revenue's challenge to the deletion of both additions failed, and the assessment relief granted by the first appellate authority was sustained.

Ratio Decidendi: A disallowance under section 40A(2)(b) requires objective material showing that payments to specified persons are excessive or unreasonable with reference to fair market value, and business expenditure under section 37 cannot be denied on a blanket or mechanical basis without specific evidence that it was not incurred for business purposes.

Issues: Whether further processing, drying and packing of tobacco leaves undertaken on job work basis amounts to Business Auxiliary Service or is processing of agricultural produce not liable to service tax.

Analysis: The dispute turned on whether the tobacco received for processing remained agricultural produce within the meaning of the Service Tax (Removal of Difficulty) Order, 2002 and the exemption framework under Notification No. 14/2004-ST as amended. The activity was held to be only further processing of tobacco leaves without bringing into existence any new or distinct commodity. The essential character of tobacco remained unchanged, and the activity was treated as processing in relation to agriculture. The Bench also followed its earlier decision on identical facts and noted that the Revenue's challenge to that view had already failed before the Supreme Court, making judicial discipline applicable.

Conclusion: The activity is not taxable as Business Auxiliary Service and the demand cannot be sustained.

Ratio Decidendi: Where processing of tobacco leaves does not alter their essential character or create a new commodity, and the activity remains in relation to agriculture, it falls outside Business Auxiliary Service and is not liable to service tax.

Issues: Whether the consideration received for preparation and supply of bridge designs, drawings, reports and related deliverables under the agreement constituted royalty under section 9(1)(vi) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 and Article 12(3) of the India-UAE DTAA, or whether it was consideration for transfer of project-specific designs outside the royalty definition.

Analysis: The scope of work showed that the assessee was engaged to prepare project-specific designs, drawings, reports and deliverables for a particular bridge project. The agreement also provided that the documents and deliverables prepared for the project would vest in the client, and the remuneration was a lump sum for the agreed deliverables. On these facts, the payment was for development and transfer of specific designs and drawings, not for the mere use of or right to use an existing design. The treaty definition of royalty in Article 12(3) was therefore not attracted. The domestic deeming provision in section 9(1)(vi) could not prevail where the treaty position was more favourable to the assessee.

Conclusion: The receipts were not taxable as royalty and the addition was unsustainable.

Issues: (i) Whether income disclosed by the assessee in the return filed under section 153A, which is higher than the original return filed under section 139(1), is liable to penalty under section 271(1)(c) of the Income-tax Act, 1961; (ii) Whether the delay of 1028 days in filing the appeal before the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) should be condoned so that the appeal on merits is admissible.

Issue (i): Whether the income disclosed in the return filed under section 153A (higher than the original return) attracts penalty under section 271(1)(c).

Analysis: Return filed under section 153A operates as the return for purposes of assessment after a search; a prior return under section 139(1) ceases to be operative once the section 153A return is furnished and accepted. Where additions or offered amounts arise from voluntary disclosures incorporated in the section 153A return and no incriminating material relating to those disclosures was found during the search, penalty under section 271(1)(c) cannot be sustained. Precedents establishing that penalty is not leviable when additions are based on voluntary offers and that unabated assessments require incriminating material recovered in the search to support additions were applied.

Conclusion: Decision in favour of the assessee; penalty under section 271(1)(c) deleted.

Issue (ii): Whether the delay of 1028 days in filing the appeal before the ld. CIT(A) ought to be condoned.

Analysis: The delay was attributed to non-deliberate failures by the assessee's accountant and resignation; the balance of substantial justice over technical lapse was applied following established principles that substantial justice should prevail and that bona fide, non-deliberate delay warrants condonation.

Conclusion: Delay condoned and appeal admitted; decision on merits rendered in favour of the assessee.

Final Conclusion: Both appeals are allowed and the penalty orders set aside; the Assessing Officer is directed to delete the penalties.

Ratio Decidendi: For search cases, the return filed and accepted under section 153A is the operative return for determining concealment and penalty; voluntary disclosures in a section 153A return supported only by no incriminating material from the search do not sustain penalty under section 271(1)(c), and bona fide non-deliberate delay should be condoned to secure substantial justice.

Issues: Whether the addition of Rs. 1,05,55,375/- made in reassessment proceedings can be sustained where the Assessing Officer failed to furnish the statements and documents obtained from the Investigation Wing pursuant to the Tribunal's remand direction, and whether the AO exceeded or disregarded the scope of the remand.

Analysis: The issue involves reassessment proceedings initiated under provisions of the Income-tax Act, 1961 including provisions for reopening and reassessment. The Tribunal had earlier remitted the matter to the Assessing Officer with a specific direction to provide copies of the statements and documents obtained from the Investigation Wing and to decide the matter after giving the assessee an opportunity to be heard. The Assessing Officer issued further proceedings and finalized the assessment without furnishing those materials to the assessee and without complying with the Tribunal's direction. The record contains no evidence of compliance by the revenue with the remand direction. The principle of natural justice and requirement of procedural fairness require that material relied upon for reassessment and additions be placed before the assessee and an opportunity to rebut be afforded; failure to comply with a Tribunal direction to produce such materials vitiates the assessment action. The question of whether the scope of the remand limited adjudication to the portion earlier sustained by the appellate authority was raised; however, the primary and determinative defect is the non-provision of the investigative statements and documents and the consequent denial of opportunity to the assessee.

Conclusion: The addition of Rs. 1,05,55,375/- is quashed for failure to comply with the Tribunal's remand direction and for violation of principles of natural justice; the appeal is allowed in favour of the assessee.

Issues: Whether the addition of Rs. 12,54,54,594/- treated as unexplained credit on account of gift from spouse could be sustained, or whether the matter requires remand for fresh adjudication in view of missing/verifiable evidence.

Analysis: The Tribunal examined whether the assessee had discharged the primary onus under Section 68 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 by producing documents to prove identity, genuineness and creditworthiness of the donor and mode of transaction. The record shows the assessee supplied a gift deed, PAN and acknowledgements but did not provide contemporaneous bank statements or clear bank entries evidencing transfer of the gifted amount before the authorities below; certain material documents (complete ITRs and bank statements) were filed for the first time before the Tribunal. Discrepancies and lack of correlation were noted between ledger entries, bank statements and Schedule FA/AL entries in the donor's ITRs; the mode of payment and source of funds were not specifically recorded in the gift deed or affidavits. The Tribunal found that the available material required factual verification and that the assessing officer below had not had a fair opportunity to make enquiries under Sections 133(6) / 131 because key details were furnished late in the proceedings. In view of these facts and the need for on record factual verification, the Tribunal concluded that the matter should be remitted to the jurisdictional assessing officer for fresh adjudication with an opportunity to the assessee to produce complete evidence.

Conclusion: The appeal is remitted to the file of the jurisdictional Assessing Officer for de novo decision after affording the assessee a reasonable opportunity of being heard; the appeal is allowed for statistical purposes.

Issues: (i) Whether the appellant, a body corporate providing manpower/job-work services to M/s. Donypolo Udyog Ltd., was liable to discharge 100% service tax under the forward charge mechanism despite invoking Notification No.30/2012 and Notification No.07/2015; (ii) Whether the extended period of limitation for demanding service tax could be validly invoked against the appellant.

Issue (i): Whether the appellant was liable to discharge 100% service tax under forward charge mechanism notwithstanding reliance on Notification No.30/2012 / Notification No.07/2015.

Analysis: Section 66D and Section 65B(44) of the Finance Act, 1994 define taxable services and the scope of levy. Notification No.25/2012-ST (Mega Exemption) and Notification No.30/2012-ST (with amendment Notification No.07/2015-ST) address instances of liability and reverse charge. The notifications exclude bodies corporate from the benefit of reverse charge/discharge by the recipient where the service provider is a body corporate. The appellant is admitted to be a body corporate and had previously paid service tax until November 2015; thereafter it claimed nil returns relying on Notification No.07/2015-ST. Documentary evidence offered (a Chartered Accountant certificate) did not establish that the recipient, M/s. Donypolo Udyog Ltd., actually discharged the tax liability on behalf of the appellant; no supporting records from the recipient were produced. The obligation to discharge service tax collected from the recipient rests on the service provider where no exemption or applicable reverse charge benefit in favour of the provider is shown.

Conclusion: Against the appellant. The appellant is liable to discharge the 100% service tax under the forward charge mechanism for the disputed period.

Issue (ii): Whether the extended period of limitation could be invoked to demand service tax for the disputed period.

Analysis: The appellant paid service tax until November 2015 and thereafter ceased payment despite no amendment or change in Notification No.07/2015-ST that would entitle the appellant (a body corporate) to exemption. The cessation of payment while continuing the same activity indicates intentional non-payment rather than a bona fide misunderstanding. The record does not demonstrate a valid legal basis for treating the period as outside limitation; absence of entitlement to the notification benefit and conduct indicating evasion justify invocation of the extended period.

Conclusion: Against the appellant. The extended period of limitation was validly invoked.

Final Conclusion: The departmental demand for service tax, interest and penalties for the period December 2015 to June 2017 is affirmed and the appeal is dismissed.

Ratio Decidendi: Where a service provider is a body corporate and no valid entitlement to an exemption or reverse charge discharge by the recipient is established, the provider remains liable to discharge service tax under the forward charge mechanism; deliberate cessation of payment without legal entitlement permits invocation of the extended period of limitation.

Issues: Whether a single consolidated show cause notice under Section 74 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 covering multiple financial years/tax periods (including cases alleging fraudulent availment of input tax credit) is permissible.

Analysis: The Court analysed the statutory scheme of the CGST Act, 2017 which ties tax liability to specific tax periods determined by returns (monthly or annual) and prescribes year-wise limitation for issuance of assessment orders (Sections 73(10) and 74(10)). The Court considered prior Division Bench decisions of this Court (Milroc Good Earth Developers and Rite Water Solutions) which held that the statute contemplates assessment and recovery on a year-wise basis and that consolidating different financial years in a single show cause notice aggregates distinct tax periods having different due dates and limitation timelines. The Court distinguished the contrary view expressed by another High Court on the basis that the Supreme Court had dismissed the related SLP in limine and had not decided the issue on merits, and reaffirmed that Section 74 contains no provision allowing clubbing of multiple financial years even where fraudulent availment of input tax credit is alleged. The Court nevertheless granted liberty to the revenue to re-issue notices strictly in terms of Section 74 if legally permissible.

Conclusion: The petition is partly allowed; the show cause notice dated 28/09/2025 is quashed and set aside, and the respondents are permitted to re-issue notices only in strict conformity with the provisions of Section 74 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017.

Issues: Whether the respondent has complied with the earlier directions to sanction the refund application and, if not, whether the court should direct compliance including payment of statutory interest.

Analysis: The orders under challenge relied on the statutory code governing refund claims, which prescribes acknowledgement, scrutiny, and deficiency communication within specified timelines. The governing provisions include the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 relating to refund timelines and interest, and the rules providing the procedure for acknowledgement and deficiency communication. The earlier order disposed of the writ petition on merits directing sanction of the refund and payment of statutory interest where the statutory timelines had been violated. Subsequent interlocutory directions clarified that the earlier order did not require further clarification and that compliance steps should be taken in accordance with law. The present petition records non-compliance with those directions and seeks enforcement of the earlier order; the respondent states the matter is under active departmental consideration and undertakes to comply.

Conclusion: The respondent is directed to comply with the earlier directions and sanction the refund along with statutory interest within three weeks. The petition is disposed accordingly in favour of the petitioner.

Issues: (i) Whether the addition of Rs. 1,38,32,272 made under section 69C of the Income-tax Act, 1961 for alleged bogus purchases was sustainable; (ii) Whether the addition of Rs. 1,47,20,000 made under section 68 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 for alleged bogus sales was sustainable and whether its re addition would result in double taxation.

Issue (i): Whether the addition under section 69C for alleged bogus purchases could be sustained.

Analysis: The Tribunal examined whether the conditions for invoking section 69C were met, noting that the purchases in question were recorded in the assessee's books, supported by purchase bills, and payments were routed through the assessee's bank account. The Assessing Officer had accepted the books of account entries. Section 69C is applicable where shares of expenses or entries remain unexplained; where transactions are reflected in books and supported by bank routing and documentary evidence, invocation of section 69C is not appropriate.

Conclusion: The addition of Rs. 1,38,32,272 under section 69C is not sustainable and is set aside in favour of the assessee.

Issue (ii): Whether the addition under section 68 for alleged bogus sales could be sustained and whether re adding amounts already offered as turnover would amount to double taxation.

Analysis: The Tribunal considered that the alleged sales amount had been offered to tax as turnover in the trading account. Section 68 targets unexplained cash credits; where the amount has already been brought to tax as turnover, re adding the same amount would amount to double taxation. The Tribunal relied on the principle that taxation of the same income twice is impermissible and relevant authority supporting that proposition.

Conclusion: The addition of Rs. 1,47,20,000 under section 68 is not sustainable as it would result in double taxation and is set aside in favour of the assessee.

Final Conclusion: The Tribunal allows the appeal of the assessee by setting aside the additions made under sections 69C and 68, thereby rendering the assessment adjustments in respect of the contested purchases and sales unsustainable.

Ratio Decidendi: Section 69C cannot be invoked where transactions are recorded in books, supported by documentary evidence and routed through bank accounts such that the expenditure is explained; section 68 cannot be invoked to re tax amounts already offered as turnover because that would constitute double taxation.

Issues: Whether the addition of Rs. 45,36,000 under Section 69C of the Income-tax Act, 1961 on account of alleged bogus purchases should be sustained in full or requires modification.

Analysis: Undisputed evidence shows purchases of Rs. 45,36,000 from a supplier alleged to be an accommodation entry provider; the assessee produced invoices, e-way bills, transport receipts and bank payment records which were not accepted by the Assessing Officer. The corresponding sales were not doubted and the books of account were not rejected under Section 145(3) of the Income-tax Act, 1961. Where books are accepted and sales are not disbelieved, a complete disallowance of recorded purchases as unexplained expenditure under Section 69C is not automatically warranted. In such circumstances, an assessment of the additional income embedded in suspect purchases by application of a reasonable estimated percentage is an appropriate method when specific gross profit or net profit rates for the trade are not furnished.

Conclusion: The order under appeal is set aside in part and the matter is remitted to the Assessing Officer with a direction to estimate income at the rate of 3% on the disputed purchases of Rs. 45,36,000 under Section 69C of the Income-tax Act, 1961, in addition to the profits already declared in the books.

Issues: Whether the addition of Rs.76,73,350 under Section 69A of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (money deposited in bank) and Rs.10,00,000 under Section 69A of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (unexplained investment) could be sustained without the Assessing Officer considering domicile certificate, local authority certificate and other evidence filed in support of the assessee's claim of exemption under Section 10(26AAA) of the Income-tax Act, 1961.

Analysis: The Tribunal examined the record and noted that the assessee claimed exemption under Section 10(26AAA) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 and asserted residence in Meghalaya and engagement in trading of agricultural products, but had not furnished domicile or local authority certificates before the Assessing Officer. The Tribunal observed that even where exemption is claimed, the assessee must be afforded an opportunity to place documentary evidence explaining source and nature of deposits and investments. In the interest of fair play and justice, and because relevant certificates and evidence were not before the Assessing Officer, the Tribunal considered it appropriate to remit the matter for fresh adjudication so that the Assessing Officer may examine any evidence the assessee files and decide the issue after affording reasonable opportunity of hearing.

Conclusion: The matter is remitted to the file of the Assessing Officer for fresh decision after permitting the assessee to file relevant evidence and after affording a reasonable opportunity of hearing; appeal allowed for statistical purposes in favour of the assessee.

Issues: Whether the High Court should exercise its extraordinary writ jurisdiction to quash the Show Cause Notice dated 25 April 2025 on the ground that the notice is time barred for want of an extension under Section 110(2) of the Customs Act, 1962.

Analysis: The petition raises a contention that the Show Cause Notice is barred by limitation and that no show cause notice was issued for extension of the six month period prescribed under Section 110(2) of the Customs Act, 1962. The Court noted that proceedings under the Show Cause Notice involve multiple accused and that the petitioner has submitted a substantive reply alleging time bar and relying on precedent. Having considered the overlap with ongoing authority proceedings and the presence of other parties to the same Show Cause Notice, the Court refrained from adjudicating the limitation question on writ jurisdiction and directed the respondents-authority to consider the petitioner's explanation including the limitation defence in the light of the judgments relied upon by the petitioner and the subsequent Apex Court decision in Union of India v. Jatin Ahuja (11 September 2025).

Conclusion: The Court declined to exercise extraordinary writ jurisdiction to quash the Show Cause Notice and directed the respondents to consider the petitioner's reply on limitation and decide the matter in accordance with law.

Final Conclusion: The petition for quashing the Show Cause Notice is dismissed; the challenge to the Show Cause Notice on limitation grounds is left open for decision by the respondents-authority after considering the petitioner's submitted explanation and relevant precedents.

Issues: Whether assignment and transfer of leasehold rights in GIDC land for consideration constitutes a supply of service exigible to GST under the State Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, or whether it is a transfer of immovable property /outside the scope of supply.

Analysis: The dispute was governed by the statutory scheme of scope of supply under Section 7(1)(a), levy under Section 9, and the treatment of immovable property and lease-related transactions under the GST framework. The Court followed its earlier decision holding that a long-term lease granted by GIDC is a supply of service, but an absolute assignment by the lessee in favour of a third-party assignee divests the lessee of all rights and operates as a transfer of benefits arising from immovable property. On that reasoning, such assignment is not merely use or enjoyment of property; it is transfer of the leasehold interest itself, which is treated as immovable property and falls outside the taxable net of supply of services. Consequently, the show-cause proceedings and the resultant demand based on the same transaction could not be sustained.

Conclusion: The transaction of assignment of leasehold rights was held not to be liable to GST under Section 7(1)(a) read with the relevant Schedules, and the impugned demand order was set aside.

Ratio Decidendi: Absolute transfer of leasehold rights in immovable property by the lessee to an assignee is not a supply of service under the GST law and is not exigible to GST.