Rule 86A cannot create a negative Electronic Credit Ledger balance; excess blocking is unlawful, though preventive action needs no prior notice.

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....Rule 86A permits only a temporary restriction on debit of credit actually available in the Electronic Credit Ledger; it does not authorise the Commissioner or an authorised officer to create a negative balance by blocking more credit than stands to the taxpayer's account. The High Court also reiterated that prior show cause notice is not required before invoking Rule 86A, because the measure is preventive and intended for emergent situations, but that does not enlarge the statutory power. The impugned blocking beyond the available credit was unsustainable and was set aside, while the authorities were left free to pursue recovery through the statutory mechanisms available in law.....