CESTAT ruled in favor of appellant regarding service tax...

CESTAT ruled in favor of appellant regarding service tax liability on trailer services. The tribunal determined that since effective control and possession of trailers were transferred to clients for fixed payments, the activity constituted 'hiring' rather than 'Supply of Tangible Goods'. The transfer of right to use with possession and control placed the transaction under 'deemed sale', removing it from service tax purview. The department failed to prove retention of control by appellant. Additionally, since appellant's clients were GTAs who had already paid service tax, and appellant was not a GTA, the activity qualified as transfer by hire/rent of trucks, falling outside service tax scope. The original classification and tax demand were deemed incorrect, and appeal was allowed.

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