E-Way Bill requirements extend to movement of goods for reasons...

E-Way Bill requirements extend to movement of goods for reasons other than supply, including return of an excavator from a work site to registered premises. Ownership and return to the owner's premises do not independently remove that requirement. A short-distance exemption must be established with satisfactory evidence that the movement falls within Rule 138(14) or an applicable notification. Failure to prove the exemption, or to clarify the tax treatment of consideration for use of the equipment, may prevent the breach from being treated as merely procedural and may support tax-evasion consequences under CGST/UPGST enforcement provisions.