18/02/2026
Section 74 ka misuse? GSTAT ne diya clarity
Recent decision in M/s Sterling & Wilson Pvt. Ltd. v. Commissioner, Odisha, Commissionerate of CT & GST & Ors. (11 Feb 2026) ne clear kiya ki har GSTR-1 vs GSTR-3B mismatch ko Section 74 (fraud) nahi maana ja sakta.
Case mein return mismatch tha, lekin books mein entries, debit/credit notes aur reconciliation available tha. Department ne fraud assume kiya, par Tribunal ne observe kiya ki sirf mismatch se “नीयत में दोष” presume nahi hota.
Supreme Court judgment Commissioner of Customs (Import), Mumbai v. Dilip Kumar & Company & Ors. ka reliance bhi liya gaya tha, lekin Tribunal ne clarify kiya ki woh exemption interpretation ka case tha, factual reconciliation ka nahi.
GSTAT ne hold kiya:
• Fraud prove nahi hua
• Matter Section 73 ke framework mein jayega
• Tax determination Proper Officer karega (remand)
Key takeaway:
हर mismatch = fraud नहीं।
Section 74 लगाने से पहले “धोखाधड़ी” और “जानबूझकर कर चोरी” साबित करनी होगी.