Court Denies Tax Refund on Ocean Freight; Payment Utilizable as Input Tax Credit, Deeming Issue Revenue Neutral.

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....The petitioner's claim for refund of tax paid on reverse charge basis on ocean freight along with interest was rejected. The Court held that the Input Tax Credit availed by the assessee under GST Acts and rules would entitle utilization for discharging tax liability. The respondent should have examined this aspect before sanctioning the refund claim. Merely paying tax does not entitle the petitioner to refund, as the issue was revenue neutral. The amount paid by the petitioner on ocean freight would have been availed as Input Tax Credit and utilized. Therefore, the petitioner was not entitled to refund claim or interest. However, the rights accrued to the petitioner need not be disturbed. The petitioner's prayer shows greediness and taking .........