Input tax credit should not be denied to a bona fide purchasing...

Input tax credit should not be denied to a bona fide purchasing dealer solely because the registered selling dealer, despite receiving tax, failed to file returns. Where the purchaser has paid tax against a valid tax invoice, recovery of unpaid tax should be pursued against the defaulting seller. Action against the purchaser remains available where material establishes collusion. Applying this principle, the discussed High Court decision quashed the demand based on alleged excess input tax credit for the relevant financial year, while preserving the authorities' right to recover dues from the selling dealer in accordance with law.

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