Allahabad High Court
M/S. DIVYA LAXMI TRADING AND CO.versusUNION OF INDIA AND 3 OTHERS
- Decided
Holding
The impugned order is set aside and the matter is remitted to the adjudicating authority with directions to provide the show‑cause notice, RUDs, non‑RUDs, and to allow the petitioner a hearing and cross‑examination.
Summary
The petitioner, M/s. Divya Laxmi Trading & Co., challenged the revenue's order dated 22‑12‑2025 on grounds that it denied them a hearing, failed to provide Reasoned Unexplained Documents (RUDs) before adjudication, and relied on questionable material. The High Court noted that similar issues had been raised in the earlier case of M/s. Shankar Trading Co. v. Union of India, where the court set aside the impugned order and remitted the matter to the adjudicating authority with specific directions to furnish the original show‑cause notice, RUDs, non‑RUDs, and to allow cross‑examination. Applying the same reasoning, the court disposed of the present petition on identical terms, ordering the revenue to comply with the earlier directions. The order emphasizes the petitioner’s right to a fair hearing, access to documents, and opportunity to cross‑examine witnesses. The case was decided on 5 May 2026.
Issues considered
- Whether the petitioner was denied a fair hearing by the revenue authority
- Whether the revenue failed to provide Reasoned Unexplained Documents (RUDs) before adjudication
- Whether the material relied upon by the revenue is credible and admissible
Subjects
- Tax law
- Right to be heard
- Show‑cause notice
- RUDs
- Cross‑examination
- Adjudicating authority
Judgment
.
HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD
WRIT TAX No. - 1715 of 2026
M/S. Divya Laxmi Trading And Co.
.....Petitioner(s)
Versus
Union Of India And 3 Others
.....Respondent(s)
Counsel for Petitioner(s) : Ami Tandon
Counsel for Respondent(s) : A.S.G.I., Dhananjay Awasthi, Gaurav
Bishan
.
Court No. - 3
HON'BLE SAUMITRA DAYAL SINGH, J.
HON'BLE SWARUPAMA CHATURVEDI, J.
1. Heard Sri Bharat Bhushan along with Sri Ami Tandon, learned counsel
for the petitioner and Sri Dhananjay Awasthi and Sri Sanjai Kumar Om,
learned counsel for the revenue.
2. By a separate order passed in M/S Shankar Trading Company
Vs. Union Of India And 3 Others, 2026:AHC:102564-DB, we have
disposed of the writ petition filed by the co-noticees on the following
terms:-
"(i) The impugned order dated 22.12.2025 is set aside and the
matter is remitted to the adjudicating authority to pass a fresh
order.
(ii) For that purpose, the Adjudicating Authority may issue to the
petitioner, a fresh copy of the original Show-Cause notice
together with copies of RUDs and a list of non-RUDs. That
compliance may be made within a period of two weeks from
today.
(iii) Upon receipt of such communication, the petitioner may
apply to the Adjudicating Authority to be supplied any other
WTAX No. 1715 of 2026
2
document including copies of non-RUDs, within a further period
of one week therefrom.
(iv) Subject to such compliance, the application moved by the
petitioner may be considered by the Adjudicating Authority
within a further period of one week. Copies of all other
documents to be supplied to the petitioner may be made available
within that time. If copy of any document or non-RUD, is to be
declined, adequate reasons may be communicated to the
petitioner, within that time.
(v) Thereafter, the Adjudicating Authority may fix appropriate
date in the proceeding with at least 15 days advance notice. The
petitioner undertakes to cooperate in the proceedings and not
seek any undue or long adjournment.
(vi) At that stage, if the revenue seeks to rely on statement of
any person, recorded during investigation etc., the same would
necessarily be made available to the petitioner on the date
fixed in the proceedings. On that date itself, the petitioner may
apply for opportunity to cross-examine any witness being
relied by the revenue.
(vii) Wherever the revenue seeks to rely on adverse statement
made against the petitioner, normally opportunity of cross-
examination, if prayed for, may be allowed to the petitioner. If
such opportunity is to be declined, adequate reasons for the
same may be communicated to the petitioner within a week of
its application.
(viii) Accordingly, the proceedings may continue such that the
same may be concluded within a period of six months from
today, after affording due opportunity of personal hearing to
the petitioner."
3. Though, ground of arrest is not being pressed in the present case, insofar
as denial of opportunity of hearing and recording of reasons are concerned,
similar grounds have been pressed in the present case. Further, it has been
WTAX No. 1715 of 2026
3
stressed that the RUDs were not made available to the petitioner before the
adjudicating proceedings were concluded. Also other grounds have been
pressed to doubt the credibility of the material relied by the revenue.
4. In view of the similar facts, present petition is also disposed of on the
same terms.
(Swarupama Chaturvedi,J.) (Saumitra Dayal Singh,J.)
May 5, 2026
#Vikram/-
Digitally signed by :-
VIKRAM GUPTA
High Court of Judicature at Allahabad
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