'Was Returning From Mecca': Delhi High Court Orders Customs To Release Woman's Gold Jewellery, Says 24 Kt Purity Not Grounds For Seizure

The Delhi High Court has ordered the Customs Department to release the gold jewellery which was seized from a Muslim woman while she was returning from a religious pilgrimage to Mecca.A division bench of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Rajneesh Kumar Gupta observed that it is normal practice in our country for women to wear basic jewellery and the same cannot be seized by the Customs...

Demand U/S 73A Of Finance Act Unsustainable Without Proof Of Service Tax Collection: CESTAT

The New Delhi Bench of Customs, Excise, and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) has stated that demand under Section 73A Of Finance Act unsustainable without proof of service tax collection. Dr. Rachna Gupta (Judicial Member) and Hemambika R. Priya (Technical Member) stated that “the invoice does not indicate any service tax collection by the assessee. The assessee had...

Revisional Authority U/S 264 Of Income Tax Act Can Only Review Existing Orders, Cannot Issue Directions To Assessing Authority: Kerala HC

The Kerala High Court stated that the powers of revisional authority under Section 264 of the Income Tax Act is confined to reviewing existing orders, and the authority cannot issue directions to the assessing authority. Section 264 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 empowers the Principal Chief Commissioner, Chief Commissioner, Principal Commissioner, or Commissioner to revise...

Department Serving Notice Via WhatsApp Post-COVID Is Not Valid U/S 169 CGST Act: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court stated that notice via WhatsApp was permitted only during COVID-19 pandemic and is not a valid mode of service under Section 169 CGST Act. Section 169 of the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Act, 2017, outlines various methods for serving notices, orders, or communications under the GST law. Justices Nitin Jamdar and Basant Balaji was addressing the...

Kerala High Court Upholds Triple Tax On Unauthorised Construction Due To Lack Of Proof Of Deemed Permit

The Kerala High Court has upheld triple tax on unauthorised construction due to lack of proof of deemed permit. Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. stated that “in the absence of any documents indicating the submission of application for permit and inaction on the part of the Panchayat in considering the said application, the contention of the assessee as to the deemed permit cannot...

Appeal On Service Classification Under 'Insurance Auxiliary Service' Not Maintainable Before High Court: Calcutta High Court

The Calcutta High Court stated that an appeal on service classification under 'insurance auxiliary service' not maintainable before the High Court. Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Chaitali Chatterjee (Das) was addressing the appeal filed by the department/appellant under Section 35G of the Central Excise Act, 1944 read with section 83 of the Finance Act, 1994 challenging...

Gram Panchayat Cannot Levy Property Tax On Industrial Establishment Within Notified Industrial Areas: Karnataka High Court

The Karnataka High Court has held that the Gram Panchayat cannot levy or collect property taxes in respect of Industrial establishments located within areas notified by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB). Mere execution of a lease-cum-sale agreement or any administrative communication cannot vest power in the Gram Panchayat to levy tax in the absence of express delegation...

Reward Schemes Must Be Fairly Implemented: Bombay High Court Directs Dept To Pay Informer For Assisting In Tax Recovery

The Bombay High Court has directed the department to pay informer for assisting in tax evasion recovery. Justices M.S. Sonak and Jitendra Jain stated that “If the Government has formulated a reward scheme, it must be implemented fairly and transparently. Informers who take risks and invest time must not be made to run from pillar to post to secure what may be due and payable....

No Leniency In Import/Export Lapses; Bombay High Court Upholds Licence Cancellation Of Courier Agency For Clearing Imports Without Authorisation

The Bombay High Court has upheld the licence cancellation of a courier agency for clearing imports without authorisation by stating that any such exercise of discretion of leniency will only encourage persons to commit the offence by taking recourse to the services of the courier agencies. Justices M.S. Sonak and Jitendra Jain stated that “the petitioner has been negligent in...

Benefits To Registered Retail Traders Under MSMED Act Limited To Priority Sector Lending, Not Eligible For QCO Exemption: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court held that the benefits to registered retail traders under MSMED Act, 2006 (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006) limited to priority sector lending only, and are not eligible for QCO [Plywood and Wooden flush door shutters (Quality Control) Order, 2024] exemption. Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. stated that “the entire category of wholesale...

Tax Weekly Round-Up: June 30 - July 06, 2025

HIGH COURTSBombay HCIncome Tax | Sales Tax Incentive Under Govt Scheme For Industrial Promotion Is Capital Receipt, Not Taxable: Bombay High CourtCase Title: Bajaj Auto Limited v. Dy. Commissioner of Income TaxCase Number: INCOME TAX APPEAL NO.505 OF 2003The Bombay High Court has stated that sales tax incentive under a government scheme for industrial promotion is a capital receipt,...

[Income Tax Act] Reassessment Beyond 4 Years Requires Specific Non-Disclosure By Assessee, Not Mere Allegations: Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court stated that reassessment under Section 147 Income Tax Act beyond 4 years requires specific non-disclosure by assessee, not mere bald allegations. Section 147 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 provides for the reopening of assessment proceedings. This section gives discretion to the Assessing Officer (AO) to reopen the assessment proceedings when he/she has reason...