My personal experience,
A. In various cases cited by the experts above, the Courts have admitted writ challenging the constitutional validity of section 16(2)(c) and in some cases, stay has been granted. More than 35 cases are also pending in different High Courts on same issue as observed by Hon'ble SC. To the best of my knowledge, the Courts have not struct down the said clause yet.
B. Also, many cases such as LGW, M/s. D.Y. Beathel Enterprises Vs. The State Tax Officer, - 2021 (3) TMI 1020 - MADRAS HIGH COURT, recent Pinstar of Mad HC are highly fact specific and so are the reliefs granted by Courts.
C. Quoting the decision of PINSTAR AUTOMOTIVE INDIA PVT. LTD. VERSUS ADDITIONAL COMMISSIONER, OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF GST AND CENTRAL EXCISE CHENNAI 2023 (3) TMI 1168 - MADRAS HIGH COURT:
9. There can be no dispute on the position that the provisions of Section 16 are to be observed strictly, such that, there is no jeopardy to the interests of the revenue. The provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 has, assimilating wisdom of experience from the erstwhile tax regimes, gone one step further to ensure that the interests of the revenue are protected by providing for a mandate that the tax liability is defrayed/met either at the hands of the supplier or the purchaser, the petitioner in this case. Thus, no fault can be attributed to the revenue in this regard.
D. So getting relief from adjudicating officer or even first appellate authority is going to be tough. Therefore, you have to object to the demand and keep litigating until it goes to High Court (since there is no GST tribunal yet).
E. If the demand is substantial, file writ before jurisdictional HC with prayer for interim relief of stay.