COMMISSIONER SALES TAX Vs. JULLUNDUR MOTOR AGENCY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The following question of law has been raised in this revision filed under Section 11 by the Commissioner of Sales Tax :

(2.) It is not disputed that the assessee filed a cheque of Rs. 43,854 towards admitted tax along with the first quarterly return for 1976-77. This was dishonoured on 28th August, 1976. The assessee was intimated and in compliance the amount was deposited by chalan on 30th August, 1976. As there was default in payment of admitted tax, notice under Section 15-A was issued and penalty of Rs. 4,385.40 was imposed. In the appeal it was reduced to Rs. 1,000. Against the reduction of penalty the Commissioner filed a revision but it was dismissed.

(3.) In Hindustan Steel Ltd. v. State of Orissa [1970] 25 STC 211 (SC) a similar situation arose and it was held by their Lordships of the Supreme Court: Whether penalty should be imposed for failure to perform a statutory obligation is a matter of discretion of the authority to be exercised judicially and on a consideration of all the relevant circumstances. Even if a minimum penalty is prescribed, the authority competent to impose the penalty will be justified in refusing to impose penalty, when there is a technical or venial breach of the provisions of the Act or where the breach flows from a bona fide belief that the offender is not liable to act in the manner prescribed by the statute.