Kerala High Court
Vessel Engaged Under SEAIOCM Agreement Qualifies As 'Foreign Going Vessel' For Exemption U/S 87 Of Customs Act: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court stated that vessel engaged under SEAIOCM agreement qualified as 'foreign going vessel' for exemption under section 87 Of Customs Act. The Bench consists of Justices A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and P.M. Manoj was addressing the issue of whether in the backdrop of the terms of engagement of the vessel under the SEAIOCM Agreement, the vessel can be categorized as a foreign going vessel for the purposes of claiming exemption under Section 87 of the Customs Act. In ...
Import Of Inverter Component Without Photo-Voltaic Cell Not Eligible For Customs Duty Exemption: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court stated that import of inverter component without photo-voltaic cell not eligible for customs duty exemption. “Inasmuch as the import was only of the inverter component, without the photo-voltaic cell - a component that was essential for harnessing solar energy, which could then be routed through the inverter system for the supply of electrical energy to the grid, the assessee cannot be seen as eligible for the benefit of the exemption notification……” stated the...
Absence Of Formal Demand Notice For Property Tax During Pendency Of Litigation Does Not Absolve Assessee's Obligation To Pay: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court stated that absence of a formal demand notice for property tax during pendency of litigation does not absolve assessee's obligation to pay such tax. The Division Bench of Justices A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and P.M. Manoj stated that “The liability to pay the tax once assessed is on the assessee and in a situation where the assessee continuously pays the tax based on the assessment that is conducted, the mere fact that the Corporation did not choose to issue a...
TRAI And CCI Are Sectoral Regulators With Defined Jurisdictions, Any Overlap Will Not Oust Jurisdiction Of Either: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court recently passed a judgment clarifying the scope and jurisdiction of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).Justice D.K. Singh in his 142 page judgment laid down the position of law while hearing Writ Petitions stating an alleged 'conflict' of jurisdiction between the two regulatory bodies. The court observed that CCI is a sectoral regulator, so far as it relates to the curbing of anticompetitive practices in India...
Writ Petition Can Be Entertained When Order U/S 9 Of Arbitration Act Neither Grants Nor Refuses Relief: Kerala HC
The Kerala High Court bench of Justice Harisankar V. Menon has held that a writ petition under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India can be entertained against an order passed by the Commercial Court under Section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (Arbitration Act) when such an order neither grants nor refuses to grant relief, thereby not making it appealable under Section 37 of the Arbitration Act. Brief Facts: Flemingo (DFS) Private Limited (Petitioner) has...
Kerala Municipality Act | Building Owners Liable To Pay Revised Property Tax For Past Three Years After Adjusting Previously Paid Amount: HC
The Kerala High Court stated that building owners liable to pay revised property tax for past three years, after adjusting previously paid amounts. The Bench of Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas was addressing the issue of whether, despite the creation of charge on the property enabling the Municipality to recover the arrears of tax as arrears of public revenue, the limitation period would stand extended beyond three years. The bench opined that despite the provisions of the Limitation...
Income Tax | Amount Received As Compensation For Compulsory Acquisition Of Landed Property Is Income Under 'Capital Gains': Kerala High Court
In a recent judgment, the Kerala High Court stated that the amounts received by an assessee as compensation or enhanced compensation for compulsory acquisition of his landed property would be treated as income under the head of 'Capital Gains' for the purposes of the I.T. Act. The Division Bench of Justices A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Easwaran S. stated that “Interest amounts received by an assessee in respect of delayed payment of compensation under the LAA will be treated as...
GST Appellate Authority Must Pass Order On Merits Even If There's No Appearance; Can't Dismiss For Default: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court has held that an appellate authority under the Central Goods and Services Tax Act (CGST Act 2017) must consider the merits of an appeal even if there is no appearance on behalf of the appellant.The Court stated that the order must be passed on merits and that the dismissal cannot be merely for default. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas was considering a writ petition filed by an assessee challenging an order passed by the Joint Commissioner (Appeals) dismissing an appeal...
College Supplying Food Through Canteen Managed By Educational Trust Is Liable For Registration Under KVAT Act: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court held that college supplying food through canteen, though managed by educational trust, is liable for registration under KVAT Act. The bench disagreed with the assessee that even if it is assumed that the sales in the canteen are found to be assessable under the provisions of the VAT, it falls within the threshold limit and therefore, the assessee cannot be compelled to take registration. It may be true that the sales across the counter in the canteen may be...
Kerala High Court Strikes Down GST Act Provision Which Levied Tax On Supplies By Clubs/Associations To Members
In a significant judgment, the Kerala High Court has struck down the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, which allowed the levy of GST on supply by clubs and associations to its members.As per the 2021 amendment made to the CGST Act, the definition of "supply" was amended to include within its fold "activities or transactions, by a person, other than an individual, to its members or constituents or vice versa, for cash, deferred payment or other valuable consideration."...
Once Tax Has Been Assessed, Entire Amount Has To Be Paid, Unless There Are Amnesty Schemes: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court stated that once tax has been assessed, entire amount has to be paid, unless there are amnesty schemes. “The assessee had even acquiesced into the order by paying the first instalment and thereafter he has turned around and now requests for acceptance of a portion of the amount in satisfaction of the entire tax assessed. Such a procedure is unheard in law. Once tax has been assessed, the entire amount has to be paid, unless there are amnesty schemes,” stated the...
After Commencement Of Arbitration, Parties Must Wait Until Award Is Pronounced To File Challenge Unless Appeal Is Available At Earlier Stage: Kerala HC
The Kerela High Court Bench of Justice Basant Balaji has held that once the arbitration has commenced, parties have to wait until the award is pronounced unless a right of appeal is available to them under Section 37 of the Act, even at an earlier stage. Brief Facts of the case: The present dispute arose with respect to an agreement, for the construction of a Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory and Animal House at Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram. The contract stipulated an...