Case Details: Spandan Electrical vs. State of West Bengal - [2026] 184 taxmann.com 571 (Calcutta)
Judiciary and Counsel Details
- Om Narayan Rai, J.
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Nilratan Banerjee & Arijit Dey for the Petitioner.
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Tanay Chakraborty & Saptak Sanyal for the Respondent.
Facts of the Case
The petitioner filed an appeal after depositing 10 percent of the disputed tax as mandatory pre-deposit under Section 112 of the CGST Act read with the West Bengal GST Act. Despite the deposit, recovery proceedings were initiated, resulting in a debit to the electronic cash ledger. A writ petition was filed for seeking a refund of the excess recovered amount and restoration of the electronic cash ledger, contending that upon compliance with the statutory pre-deposit requirement, recovery of the balance demand stood automatically stayed. It was further submitted that the excess recovery adversely impacted the petitioner’s electronic cash ledger without the authority of law. The matter was accordingly placed before the High Court.
High Court Held
The High Court held that upon demonstration of compliance with the mandatory pre-deposit requirement for filing an appeal before the Tribunal under Section 112 of the CGST Act, the statutory consequence of a deemed stay on recovery of the balance demand would operate till the disposal of the appeal. It was observed that the cumulative pre-deposit requirements at the first appellate and Tribunal stages effectively limit the extent of permissible recovery, and any amount recovered beyond such threshold would be liable to refund. It was held that the GST authorities are obligated to give effect to the statutory scheme and cannot continue recovery once the prescribed pre-deposit condition stands satisfied. Accordingly, the petitioner was directed to submit a representation demonstrating compliance, and upon satisfaction, the jurisdictional officer under CGST was required to process refund of excess recovery and restore the electronic cash ledger.
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