FININ2MIN · JUDGMENT INTELLIGENCE
GST / Input Tax Credit · F2J-C-2866

M/s Kor Chems v. Assistant Commissioner, CGST and Central Excise & Anr.

VALIDATED · ACTUAL COURT DOCUMENT
Court
Gujarat High Court
Case number
R/SCA No. 6623 of 2026
Decision date
2026-09-03
Bench
A.S. Supehia and Vaibhavi D. Nanavati JJ.
Neutral citation
Not stated in retained copy
CNR
GJHC240322312026
Subject
GST / Input Tax Credit
Disposition
Demand, rectification and appellate orders quashed; refund of Rs.29.25 lakh plus Rs.4,44,280 interest directed within three weeks.
Later history
Not verified — check the official court record before reliance (as of 19 Sep 2026)
Open local complete judgment PDFComplete public judgment sourceOfficial court portal

Source transparency: The local PDF is an actual court document retained from the complete public source. The official court portal is recorded separately. Verify the official record and subsequent history before reliance.

Holding (ratio)

Section 17(5)(d) presupposes a taxable inward supply involving construction and could not block credit on the non-taxable acquisition of leasehold rights where no construction was undertaken. Fraud or suppression was also unestablished.

Operative order (extract)

11. Thus, we do not find that in the instant case, there is any fraud or wilful mis-statement or any suppression of facts at the end of the petitioner in availing the ITC or the same is wrongly availed. On the contrary, it has not been denied by the respondent that, the petitioner had, though utilised the ITC of Rs. 38,60,608/- in the month of July, 2022 but accordingly he has reversed to Form DRC-03 dated 11.04.2023. Thus, the petitioner has paid the entire output of GST liability in cash. Hence, the question of resorting to Section 74 of the GST Act is also uncalled for. On both these counts, the action of the respondent is without jurisdiction and in fact the respondent authority has misinterpreted and misapplied the statutory provisions which calls for interference of this Court and hence the petitioner cannot be relegated to further remedy of facing proceeding, which does not satisfy the statutory pre-requisite. Hence, the Writ petition succeeds. The impugned notice dated 28.10.2025 issued by the respondent under Section 74(1) of the GST Act is quashed and set-aside.

Scope limits

The holding is confined to the issues actually decided in the retained judgment; no view is attributed to the court on questions expressly left open or remanded.

Sources and completeness

PDF status
Complete searchable public court copy, retained unchanged
PDF origin
Downloaded unchanged from the complete public court-copy source
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15
Extracted words
5,133
PDF SHA-256
2f2aa3b81f9ce01a8c0e1a74fd42e6e62c374404095a7c9100aeff3819a62193
Complete searchable judgment text
                        C/SCA/6623/2026(GJHC240322312026)                           JUDGMENT DATED: 03/09/2026














                                IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD





                                 R/SPECIAL CIVIL APPLICATION NO. 6623 of 2026








                      FOR APPROVAL AND SIGNATURE:





                      HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A.S. SUPEHIA


                      and


                      HONOURABLE MS. JUSTICE VAIBHAVI D. NANAVATI


                      =============================================


                                   Approved for Reporting                     Yes             No


                                                                                              ✔


                      =============================================


                           M/S.KOR CHEMS THROUGH PARTNER SANJAY RAMESHCHANDRA


                                                    SONI


                                                   Versus


                           ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, CGST AND CENTRAL EXCISE & ANR.


                      =============================================


                      Appearance:


                      MR. HARDIK V VORA(7123) for the Petitioner(s) No. 1


                      DEEPAK N KHANCHANDANI(7781) for the Respondent(s) No. 1,2


                      =============================================


                         CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A.S. SUPEHIA


                               and


                               HONOURABLE MS. JUSTICE VAIBHAVI D. NANAVATI





                                         Date : 03/09/2026


                                          ORAL JUDGMENT


                        (PER : HONOURABLE MS. JUSTICE VAIBHAVI D. NANAVATI)





                      1.       Rule returnable forthwith. Learned Senior Standing


                      Counsel, Mr. Deepak N. Khanchandani waives service of notice


                      of rule for and on behalf of the respondents.





                      2.       By way of present petition, the petitioner herein has


                      prayed for the following reliefs:





                               “5.    The Petitioner accordingly prays that this Hon’ble Court may kindly


                               be pleased to issue:





                               a.      A writ of certiorari, or any other appropriate writ, order and/or


                               directions in the nature of certiorari to quash the order-in-original no. Div.


                               VIII/AC-KDC/07/OA-GST/2025-26 dated 12.06.2025 (Annexure A1) along


                               with summary order in Form DRC-07 bearing reference no.











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                               ZD240725000580T dated 01.07.2025 (Annexure A2) passed for the F.Y.


                               2021-22 as well as subsequent rectification order bearing reference no.


                               ZD240725005705I dated 02.07.2025 (Annexure A3);





                               b.      A writ of certiorari, or any other appropriate writ, order and/or


                               directions in the nature of certiorari to quash the Order-in-Appeal no. VAD-


                               CGST-002-APP-JC-939-2025-26 dated 27.02.2026 (Annexure B1) along with


                               Form GST APL-04 bearing order no. ZD240326010836K dated 05.03.2026


                               (Annexure B2)





                               c.      A writ of mandamus, or any other appropriate writ, order and/or


                               directions in the nature of mandamus directing the Respondent to refund


                               the tax of Rs. 29,25,000/- paid through DRC-03 dated 21.01.2023 and


                               interest of Rs. 4,44,280/- paid through DRC-03 dated 22.12.2023.;





                               d.     Pending the admission, hearing and final disposal of this petition,


                               stay the order-in-original dated 12.06.2025 (Annexure A1) and order-in-


                               appeal dated 27.02.2026 (Annexure B1) and/or restrain the respondents to


                               continue and/or initiate the recovery proceedings pursuant to the


                               impugned orders;





                               e.    Pass any other order(s) as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit and


                               more appropriate in order to grant interim relief to the Petitioner;





                               f. Any other and further relief deemed just and proper be granted in the


                               interest of justice.”








                      3.       The petitioner being a partnership firm, is engaged in the


                      trading of industrial chemicals such as Hydrogen Peroxide,


                      Caustic Flakes and Phosphoric Acid, falling under HN Code


                      28061000,            29031200           and        28151110         respectively.           The


                      petitioner acquired leasehold rights in an industrial plot at


                      Ankleshwar              from          M/s.        Myspace           Infracon          [GSTIN:


                      24ABDFM5324K1ZB]                      for        a          total   consideration              of


                      Rs.1,91,75,000/-, inclusive of GST of Rs.29,25,000/- (CGST of


                      Rs.14,62,500/- and SGST of Rs. 14,62,500/-) in February, 2022.


                      The supplier duly raised a tax invoice No.CS/7/21-22, dated


                      17.02.2022, charging Goods and Services Tax (for short ‘GST’)


                      on such transactions.





                      3.1      The petitioner under a bonafide belief that the GST paid


                      on such services was admissible Input Tax Credit (for short








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                      ‘ITC’), it availed the same while filling GST-3B for February


                      2022. The ITC properly reflected in the books of accounts and


                      reported in the GST returns. On 16.01.2023, inspection under


                      section 67(1) of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017


                      (for short ‘CGST Act’) was conducted during which, the


                      statement            of     partner       of      the     petitioner         firm,        Shri


                      Rameshchandra, was recorded wherein, he admitted that the


                      ITC had been availed on GST paid towards leasehold rights. He


                      further clarified that the credit was taken under a bonafide


                      belief, without knowledge that such ITC might be blocked


                      under section 17(5)(d) of the CGST Act.





                      3.2      Subsequently, the Department recorded the statement of


                      another partner of the petitioner firm, Shri Sanjay Soni, who


                      confirmed that the ITC of Rs.29,25,000/- was duly reflected in


                      the GST returns and books of account. He stated that the


                      credit had been duly availed under a bonafide belief and after


                      due       discussion          and       consultation       with       the       Chartered


                      Accountant, without waiting for initiation of any further


                      proceedings, the petitioner voluntarily reversed the entire ITC


                      of             Rs.29,25,000/-                  vide          DRC-03                   (Debit


                      E.No.DC2401230416348/DI2401230611178) dated 21.01.2023


                      and also discharged the applicable interest of Rs. 4,44,280/-


                      vide DRC-03 (Debit E.No.2412230320082) dated 22.12.2023 to


                      avoid further litigation.





                      3.3      Thereafter, an intimation of tax ascertained as payable


                      was          issued          in        Form         GST      DRC-01A                bearing


                      DIN20240365VB0000D4A9, dated 05.03.2024, calling upon the


                      petitioner        to      make        payment      of    penalty.      The      petitioner








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                      submitted a reply on 13.03.2024 contending that the tax along


                      with applicable interest had already been paid under protest


                      through Form DRC-03 during the course of investigation. It was


                      further submitted that all requisite information and documents


                      had been duly furnished during the investigation proceedings,


                      and that, there was neither any wilful misstatement nor


                      suppression of facts, nor any fraudulent intent to evade tax. It


                      was contended that no penalty was leviable in the facts and


                      circumstances of the case. However, without considering the


                      same, Show Cause Notice bearing DIN20240565VB000000060,


                      dated 31.03.2024, was issued by the Deputy Commissioner


                      (Prev.), CGST & Central Excise, Vadodara-II Commissionerate,


                      proposing disallowance and recovery of ITC amounting to


                      Rs.29,25,000/-, along with applicable interest and penalty


                      under Section 74(1) of the CGST Act on the allegation that the


                      said ITC constituted blocked credit under Section 17(5)(d) of


                      the CGST Act.





                      3.4      In response thereto, the petitioner filed a detailed


                      submission contending that the ITC had been availed under a


                      bona fide belief regarding its admissibility, particularly since


                      GST had been duly charged by the supplier and the transaction


                      was transparently disclosed in Form GSTR-3B as well as duly


                      reflected in Form GSTR-2A. It was further emphasized that


                      there was neither any fraud nor suppression of facts, nor any


                      willful misstatement in availing such credit. ITC had been


                      voluntarily reversed, and interest amounting to Rs.34,44,280/-


                      had been duly paid prior to the issuance of the Show Cause


                      Notice. Reliance was placed on judicial precedents, including











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                      Uniworth International Limited Vs. Commissioner Of Central


                      Excise, Nagpur, wherein it has been held that mere non


                      payment or incorrect availment of credit does not amount to


                      suppression of facts with intent to evade duty.





                      3.5      The       respondent            No.1,       without    considering             the


                      submissions of the petitioner, proceeded to pass Order-in-


                      Original        No.      DIV.         VIII/AC-KDC/07/OA-GST/2025-26                 dated


                      12.06.2025, along with the summary order in Form DRC-07


                      dated 01.07.2025 and determined a demand of ITC amounting


                      to Rs.29,25,000/-, along with interest of Rs.4,44,280/- and


                      penalty under section 74(1) of the CGST Act amounting to


                      Rs.29,25,000/-. However, the respondent allowed appropriation


                      of the tax and interest already paid by the petitioner through


                      Form DRC-03 against the aforesaid demand.





                      3.6      Being aggrieved by the aforesaid order, the petitioner


                      preferred an appeal before respondent No.2 on 10.09.2025


                      wherein, during the course of appellate proceedings, the


                      petitioner filed a detailed written submission on 23.12.2025.





                      3.7      The respondent No.2, thereafter passed Order-in-Appeal


                      no.      VAD-CGST-002-APP-JC-939-2025-26                       dated      27.02.2026


                      along         with       Form         GST      APL-04     bearing         order         no.


                      ZD240326010836K dated 05.03.2026 confirming the demand.


                      The aforesaid has given rise to the filing of the present petition


                      for the reliefs, as referred to herein above.





                      4.       Learned advocate, Mr. Hardik V. Vora appearing for the


                      petitioner, at the outset, submitted that the decision of this











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                      Court rendered in Special Civil Application No.18068 of


                      2025, dated 10.02.2026 squarely applies to the facts of the


                      present case. It is submitted that Section 17(5)(d) of the CGST


                      Act provides that ITC is restricted only where the goods or


                      services are received for the purpose of construction of an


                      immovable property. The bar on credit applies exclusively to


                      construction related expenditure. In the present case, the


                      petitioner herein has not undertaken any construction activity.


                      The petitioner has merely acquired the leasehold rights in the


                      GIDC plots as it is. Accordingly, in absence of any construction


                      of immovable property, the provision of section 17(5)(d) of the


                      CGST Act is erroneously invoked in the case of the petitioner.





                      4.1      Learned advocate, Mr. Hardik V. Vora also submitted that


                      the core issue is pertaining to ITC availed by the petitioner on


                      acquisition of leasehold rights of GIDC plot. The respondents


                      have failed to appreciate that the very foundation of the


                      impugned proceedings is contrary to the settled legal position


                      as held in Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry & Ors.


                      (Supra), wherein, it is held that the provisions of section 7(1)(a)


                      of the CGST Act providing for supply read with clause 5(b) of


                      Schedule II and clause 5(c) of Schedule III would not be


                      applicable to such transaction of assignment of leasehold


                      rights of land and building and the same would not be subject


                      to levy of GST as provided under section 9 of the CGST Act. In


                      the facts of the present case, admittedly, the appellant


                      acquired leasehold rights in an industrial plot allotted by the


                      GIDC from M/S. MYSPACE INFRACON. It is submitted that at the


                      time      of    the     transaction,     the     supplier   charged         GST       on











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                      consideration under a mistaken interpretation of law, treating


                      the assignment of leasehold rights as a taxable property. The


                      petitioner being a bonafide recipient, paid the GST amount to


                      the supplier as a part of contractual consideration and availed


                      corresponding ITC in its returns, since the tax was charged


                      through a valid tax invoice and duly reflected in GSTR-2A.


                      Subsequently,            during       the     departmental    proceedings,            the


                      petitioner reversed the ITC along with applicable interest


                      through DRC-03 under protest to demonstrate bonafide


                      compliance. It is submitted that the petitioner has effectively


                      borne the entire incidence of tax on a transaction which has


                      now been judicially declared as non-taxable.





                      4.2      It is further submitted that once by way of judicial dictum,


                      it is held that assignment/transfer of leasehold rights in


                      allotted land by GIDC is not exigible to GST, the GST charged


                      by the supplier and paid by the petitioner was tax paid without


                      authority of law. When the charging provision itself does not


                      apply, any amount collected or retained by the department,


                      whether directly as tax or indirectly by way of ITC reversal and


                      interest, has no legal sanctity. It is submitted that the


                      petitioner filed a detailed submission contending that the ITC


                      availed under a bonafide belief regarding its admissibility,


                      particularly since GST has been duly charged by the supplied


                      and the transaction was transparently disclosed in Form GSTR-


                      3B as well as duly reflected in Form GSTR-2A, the question of


                      fraud or suppression or willful misstatement in availing such


                      credit does not arise. Placing reliance on the aforesaid


                      submissions, it is submitted that the impugned order-in-











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                      original along with the summary order and the order passed by


                      the Appellate Authority, are required to be quashed and set


                      aside.





                      5.       Learned         Senior       Standing         Counsel,       Mr.     Deepak           N.


                      Khanchandani appearing for the respondents relied on the


                      affidavit-in-reply           filed    by      the      respondent        authority          and


                      submitted that the petitioner herein under a bonafide belief


                      that the GST paid on the services was admissible for ITC,


                      availed the same by filing GST-3B for February, 2022. The ITC


                      was properly reflected in the books of accounts and reported in


                      the GST returns. It is submitted that during inquiry under


                      Section         67(1)       of     the      CGST           Act,    statement         of     Shri


                      Rameshchandra – partner of the Firm, was recorded on


                      16.01.2026 under section 70 of the CGST Act wherein, he


                      admitted that ITC was availed on GST paid towards leasehold


                      rights and also conveyed that they were ready to reverse the


                      ITC along with applicable interest through Form DRC-03 in


                      order to ensure full compliance of law. Accordingly, without


                      waiting        for    initiation      of     any      proceeding,        the      petitioner


                      voluntarily          reversed         the      entire        ITC    to    the      tune        of


                      Rs.29,25,000/- vide Form DRC-03 on 21.01.2023 and also


                      discharged the applicable interest to the tune of Rs.4,44,280/-


                      vide Form DRC-03, dated 22.12.2023. In view of the aforesaid,


                      the revenue issued show cause notice proposing disallowance


                      and recovery of ITC of Rs.29,25,000/- along with interest and


                      penalty under section 74(1) of the CGST Act. It is submitted


                      that the department alleged that ITC was inadmissible and it


                      pertains to blocked credit under section 17(5)(d) of the CGST











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                      Act and further claimed that the petitioner had suppressed


                      material facts with intent to evade the payment of tax which


                      resulted into consequential orders passed by the revenue.


                      However, Mr. Khandachandani, learned advocate is not in a


                      position to controvert the fact that the issue involved in the


                      present petition is squarely covered by the decision rendered


                      in the case of Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry &


                      Ors.(Supra), and in Special Civil Application No.18068 of 2025.





                      6.       We have heard the learned advocates appearing for the


                      respective parties at length. It is not in dispute that the


                      petitioner herein acquired leasehold rights in an industrial plot


                      at      Ankleshwar            from      M/s.        Myspace        Infracon          [GSTIN:


                      24ABDFM5324K1ZB]                      for       a          total   consideration              of


                      Rs.1,91,75,000/-, inclusive of GST of Rs.29,25,000/- (CGST of


                      Rs.14,62,500/- and SGST of Rs. 14,62,500/-) in February, 2022.


                      The supplier duly raised a tax invoice No.CS/7/21-22, dated


                      17.02.2022, charging GST on such transactions. The petitioner


                      under a bonafide belief that the GST paid on such services was


                      admissible ITC, availed the same by filling GST-3B for February


                      2022. The ITC was properly reflected in the books of accounts


                      and reported in the GST returns.





                      6.1      On 16.01.2023, inspection under section 67(1) of the


                      CGST Act was conducted during which, the statement of


                      partner of the petitioner firm was recorded wherein, he


                      admitted that the ITC had been availed on GST paid towards


                      leasehold rights. It was further clarified that the credit was


                      taken under a bonafide belief, without knowledge that such ITC


                      might be blocked under section 17(5)(d) of the CGST Act.








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                      6.2      Subsequently, the Department recorded the statement of


                      Shri Sanjay Soni, who confirmed that ITC of Rs.29,25,000/- was


                      duly reflected in the GST returns and books of account. He


                      stated that the credit had been duly availed under a bonafide


                      belief and after due discussion and consultation with the


                      Chartered Accountant, without waiting for initiation of any


                      further proceedings, the petitioner voluntarily reversed the


                      entire         ITC       of        Rs.29,25,000/-        vide     DRC-03            (Debit


                      E.No.DC2401230416348/DI2401230611178) dated 21.01.2023


                      and also discharged the applicable interest of Rs. 4,44,280/-


                      vide DRC-03 (Debit E.No.2412230320082) dated 22.12.2023 to


                      avoid further litigation.





                      7.       Considering the aforesaid, the core issue pertains to ITC


                      availed by the petitioner on acquisition of leasehold rights of


                      GIDC plot. This Court in the case of Gujarat Chamber of


                      Commerce and Industry & Ors.(Supra), has held that the


                      assignment by sale or transfer of the leasehold rights of the


                      plot allotted by the GIDC to the lessee in favour of the third


                      party-assignee                for       a        consideration            shall           be


                      assignment/sale/transfer of benefits arising out of “immovable


                      property” by the lessee-assignor in favour of third party-


                      assignee, who would become lessee of GIDC in place of original


                      allottee-lessee.           Under       such     circumstances,         provisions          of


                      section 7(1)(a) of the CGST Act providing for scope of supply


                      read with clause 5(b) of Schedule II and clause 5 of Schedule III


                      shall not be applicable to such transaction of assignment of


                      leasehold rights of land and building and the same would not


                      be subject to levy of GST as provided under section 9 of the








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                      CGST Act. The Coordinate Bench of this Court after extensive


                      scrutiny of the provision of the GST as well as the array of


                      judgments has ultimately declared as under :-





                               “83. In view of foregoing reasons, assignment by sale and transfer of


                               leasehold rights of the plot of land allotted by GIDC to the lessee in favour


                               of third party-assignee for a consideration shall be assignment/sale/


                               transfer of benefits arising out of “immovable property” by the lessee-


                               assignor in favour of third party-assignee who would become lessee of


                               GIDC in place of original allottee-lessee. In such circumstances, provisions


                               of section 7(1)(a) of the GST Act providing for scope of supply read with


                               clause 5(b) of Schedule II and Clause 5 of Schedule III would not be


                               applicable to such transaction of assignment of leasehold rights of land


                               and building and same would not be subject to levy of GST as provided


                               under section 9 of the GST Act.





                               84.    In view of above, question of utilisation of input tax credit to


                               discharge the liability of GST on such transaction of assignment would not


                               arise.





                               85.    The petitions accordingly succeed and impugned show cause


                               notices and orders in original or appeal as the case may be, are hereby


                               quashed and set aside. Rule is made absolute to the aforesaid extent. No


                               order as to costs.”








                      7.1. In the facts of the present case, admittedly, the petitioner


                      acquired leasehold rights in the industrial plot allotted by the


                      GIDC from M/S. MYSPACE INFRACON. In view thereof, the GST


                      charged by the supplier and paid by the petitioner was


                      contrary to the law. When the charging provision itself does


                      not      apply,       any     amount        collected   or   retained         by      the


                      department, whether directly as tax or indirectly by way of ITC


                      reversal and interest, has no legal sanctity.





                      7.2      Considering the aforesaid, the reversal of ITC and


                      payment of interest, which were premised solely on the


                      assumption that GST was leviable on the transaction would not


                      survive.





                      8.       In    our     opinion,       the   respondents      have       erroneously








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                      proceeded on the footing that the ITC was “blocked” under


                      section 17(5)(d) of the CGST Act. Section 17(5)(d) of the CGST


                      Act, presupposes the existence of a taxable inward supply, on


                      which, tax is lawfully leviable and paid. In the facts of the


                      present case, in light of the judgment of this Court, the


                      transaction itself neither qualify as “supply” under section 7 of


                      the CGST Act nor it is chargeable to tax under section 9 of the


                      CGST Act. When there is no taxable supply, the question of


                      applying blocking provision under section 17(5) of the CGST


                      Act does not arise at all.





                      8.1      The respondents have alleged that the petitioner has


                      contravened the provision of section 17(5)(d) of the CGST Act


                      read with Gujarat Goods and Services Tax Act and has availed


                      ineligible ITC. In an identical issue raised in Special Civil


                      Application No.18068 of 2025, section 17(5)(d) of the CGST


                      Act was interpreted and it was held that the legislative intent is


                      clear that the bar on credit applied exclusively to construction


                      related expenditure and the apportionment of credit and


                      blocked credits relating to such business.





                      8.2. At this stage, it is apposite to refer to the decision


                      rendered in Special Civil Application No.18068 of 2025,


                      dated 10.02.2026. Relevant paragraphs of the said decision


                      read thus:





                               “9.   At this stage, we may refer to the provision of Section 17(5)(d) of


                               the GST Act, which is as under:





                                      "Apportionment of credit and blocked credits.


                                      17. (1) Where the goods or services or both are used by the


                                      registered person partly for the purpose of any business and partly


                                      for other purposes, the amount of credit shall be restricted to so


                                      much of the input tax as is attributable to the purposes of his











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                                      business.


                                      …..


                                      (5) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) of section


                                      16 and sub-section (1) of section 18, input tax credit shall not be


                                      available in respect of the following, namely:-


                                      ….


                                      (d) goods or services or both received by a taxable person for


                                      construction of an immovable property (other than plant and


                                      machinery) on his own account including when such goods or


                                      services or both are used in the course or furtherance of business.





                                      [Explanation 1.]- For the purposes of clauses (c) and (d), the


                                      expression "construction" includes re-construction, renovation,


                                      additions or alterations or repairs, to the extent of capitalisation, to


                                      the said immovable property;





                                      Explanation 2.- For the purposes of clause (d), it is hereby clarified


                                      that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any


                                      judgment, decree or order of any court, tribunal, or other authority,


                                      any reference to "plant or machinery" shall be construed and shall


                                      always be deemed to have been construed as a reference to "plant


                                      and machinery".





                               10.     Thus, a plain and simple reading of provision of Section 17(5)(d) of


                               the GST Act exposits that the apportionment of credit and blocked credit


                               relates to the goods or services or both by a taxable person for the


                               purpose of construction of any immovable property. Thus, the legislative


                               intent is clear that the bar on credit applied exclusively to construction


                               related expenditure and the apportionment of credit and blocked credits


                               relating to such business. The respondent has not established that the


                               petitioner has undertaken any construction activity whatsoever and apart


                               from transferring the leasehold rights in GIDC Plot, is also accordingly,


                               undertaking the construction activities. Thus, the provision of Section 17(5)


                               (d) of the GST Act would not even remotely apply to the petitioner. Hence,


                               the allegation of availing block credit by resorting to the provision of


                               Section 17(5)(d) of the GST Act, is uncalled for and there is a complete


                               non-application of mind on behalf of the respondent. With regard to the


                               provision of Section 74 of the GST Act, under which the notice has been


                               issued, we may reproduce the same, which reads as under:





                                      “Section 74. Determination of tax not paid or short paid or


                                      erroneously refunded or input tax credit wrongly availed or utilised


                                      by reason of fraud or any willful-misstatement or suppression of


                                      facts-





                                      (1) Where it appears to the proper officer that any tax has not been


                                      paid or short paid or erroneously refunded or where input tax credit


                                      has been wrongly availed or utilised by reason of fraud, or any wilful-


                                      misstatement or suppression of facts to evade tax, he shall serve


                                      notice on the person chargeable with tax which has not been so paid


                                      or which has been so short paid or to whom the refund has


                                      erroneously been made, or who has wrongly availed or utilised input


                                      tax credit, requiring him to show cause as to why he should not pay


                                      the amount specified in the notice along with interest payable


                                      thereon under section 50 and a penalty equivalent to the tax


                                      specified in the notice.











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                                      Explanation "suppression" shall mean non-declaration of facts or


                                      information which a taxable person is required to declare in the


                                      return, statement, report or any other document furnished under


                                      this Act or the rules made thereunder, or failure to furnish any


                                      information on being asked for, in writing, by the proper officer."





                               11.     Thus, we do not find that in the instant case, there is any fraud or


                               wilful mis-statement or any suppression of facts at the end of the


                               petitioner in availing the ITC or the same is wrongly availed. On the


                               contrary, it has not been denied by the respondent that, the petitioner


                               had, though utilised the ITC of Rs. 38,60,608/- in the month of July, 2022


                               but accordingly he has reversed to Form DRC-03 dated 11.04.2023. Thus,


                               the petitioner has paid the entire output of GST liability in cash. Hence, the


                               question of resorting to Section 74 of the GST Act is also uncalled for. On


                               both these counts, the action of the respondent is without jurisdiction and


                               in fact the respondent authority has misinterpreted and misapplied the


                               statutory provisions which calls for interference of this Court and hence the


                               petitioner cannot be relegated to further remedy of facing proceeding,


                               which does not satisfy the statutory pre-requisite. Hence, the Writ petition


                               succeeds. The impugned notice dated 28.10.2025 issued by the


                               respondent under Section 74(1) of the GST Act is quashed and set-aside.


                               The respondent is directed to unblock the ITC amounting to


                               Rs.98,11,678/-, which has been lying in the electronic credit ledger of the


                               petitioner. Necessary action shall be taken within a period of three weeks


                               from the date of receipt of the order. Rule is made absolute with no order


                               as to costs.”








                      8.3. The facts of the present case are identical to the facts of


                      the aforesaid writ petition being Special Civil Application


                      No.18068 of 2025 wherein, it is not in dispute that the


                      petitioner herein has not undertaken any construction activity


                      and in view thereof, section 17(5)(d) of the CGST Act is


                      erroneously invoked qua the petitioner herein. Accordingly, the


                      allegation of availing blocked credit by the revenue is


                      misconceived and in view thereof, the determination demand


                      on the basis of section 17(5)(d) of the CGST Act is held to be


                      unsustainable in the eyes of law.





                      9.       Considering the settled legal position, as referred to


                      herein above, the question of fraud or suppression or wilful


                      misstatement does not arise in the facts of the present case to











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                      invoke section 74(1) of the CGST Act on the allegation that the


                      ITC constituted blocked credit under section 17(5)(d) of the


                      CGST Act.





                      10.        For the reasons as referred to herein above, the action of


                      the revenue is contrary to the statutory provisions and settled


                      legal position, which requires interference. Hence, the writ


                      petition succeeds. The impugned order-in-original No. Div.


                      VIII/AC-KDC/07/OA-GST/2025-26 dated 12.06.2025 along with


                      summary order in Form DRC-07 bearing reference No.


                      ZD240725000580T dated 01.07.2025 passed for the F.Y. 2021-


                      22 as well as subsequent rectification order bearing reference


                      No. ZD240725005705I dated 02.07.2025 along with the Order-


                      in-Appeal             No.VAD-CGST-002-APP-JC-939-2025-26                          dated


                      27.02.2026 along with Form GST APL-04 bearing order no.


                      ZD240326010836K dated 05.03.2026, are hereby quashed and


                      set aside. Consequently, the respondents are directed to


                      refund the tax of Rs.29,25,000/- paid through DRC-03 dated


                      21.01.2023 and interest of Rs.4,44,280/- paid through DRC-03


                      dated 22.12.2023, within a period of three (03) weeks from the


                      date of receipt of this order. Rule is made absolute. No order


                      as to costs.





                                                                                    (A. S. SUPEHIA, J)














                                                                            (VAIBHAVI D. NANAVATI,J)








                      NEHA /54














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Disclaimer: Educational and research material only; not legal, tax, investment or professional advice. Verify the controlling court record, statutory version, jurisdiction and subsequent history.