The HC held that transitional Cenvat Credit carried forward...

The HC held that transitional Cenvat Credit carried forward qualifies as 'input tax credit' under the CGST Act. Interest u/s 50(3) is payable for wrongly availing and utilizing such credit. However, imposing penalty u/s 122(2)(b) read with 74(1) requires evidence of fraud or willful misstatement, which was absent as the petitioner acted under a bona fide belief. While upholding interest liability, the HC quashed the penalty recognizing lack of fraudulent intent by the petitioner, a government company. The petition was allowed in part.