Re-blocking of ECL within one year in a Section 74 proceeding valid; writ dismissed for suppression { Creative Enterprises vs. State of Telangana [2026] 184 taxmann.com 183 (Telangana)}
Facts
- The GST department blocked the petitioner’s Electronic Credit Ledger under Rule 86A of the CGST Rules.
- After the expiry of one year, the department re-blocked the ECL based on proceedings initiated under Section 74 of the CGST Act (fraud/suppression cases).
- The petitioner filed a writ petition before the High Court, challenging the re-blocking as illegal, claiming the one-year limit under Rule 86A had expired.
- However, the petitioner did not disclose the ongoing Section 74 proceedings related to the same issue.
Issue
Whether re-blocking of the Electronic Credit Ledger within one year in connection with Section 74 proceedings is valid and whether non-disclosure of material facts in the writ petition affects maintainability.
Held
The Telangana High Court held that:
- The re-blocking of the Electronic Credit Ledger was within the permissible one-year period, considering the Section 74 proceedings.
- The petitioner suppressed material facts by not disclosing the ongoing proceedings.
- Such non-disclosure is fatal to a writ petition and therefore the court refused to interfere.
- Accordingly, the writ petition was dismissed.