2016 (1) TMI 279

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....rship concern, is registered under the Punjab Value Added Tax Act, 2005 (for short, `2005 Act') as also under Central Sales Tax Act, 1956 (for short, `1956 Act'). It is manufacturing and trading in plywood, particle board, flush doors, table tops, veneer etc. with liability to pay the tax with effect from 20.10.2004. It had filed all the four quarterly returns for the year 2012-13. Its business premises was inspected by the respondents on 22.5.2012. One production register, bundle of papers related to production and some loose papers were impounded for verification. On 23.5.2012, a notice was served upon the petitioner for the verification of documents. In pursuance thereof, its proprietor appeared and requested the concerned Officer to ret....

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....tition. Learned counsel for the petitioner argued that section 46(3) of 2005 Act makes it obligatory on the officer not to retain the current account books for more than 30 days and old account books for more than 60 days. Hence, the respondents after the expiry of the aforesaid period were bound to return the impounded documents or to supply the photocopies thereof to the petitioner. Despite the above mandate, respondent No.2 neither returned the documents nor provided the copies thereof and thus, acted beyond the statute exceeding his jurisdiction. The impugned order dated 12.6.2015 passed by the respondents without affording an opportunity to the petitioner to explain was in violation of the principles of natural justice. Even otherwi....