Flavoured Milk Is Not 'Beverage'; Taxable At 5% GST: Karnataka High Court Provides Relief To Dodla Dairy

The Karnataka High Court held that flavoured milk qualifies as a dairy product under Tariff Heading 0402 and not as a 'beverage' under Tariff Heading 2202. Consequently, GST at 5% will be applicable on flavoured milk instead of 12%. Justice S.R. Krishna Kumar examined the classification of the flavoured milk under the GST, considering whether it falls under Tariff Heading 2202 (beverages containing milk) or under Tariff Heading 0402 (milk and cream, containing added sugar or...

No GST On Liquidated Damages For Breach Of Contract: Karnataka High Court Quashes SCN

The Karnataka High Court held that liquidated damages recovered for breach or delay in contractual obligations are compensatory in nature and do not constitute consideration for any supply under GST. Justice S.R. Krishna Kumar examined whether the amount paid as compensation by the Lending Service Provider (LSP) to the assessee constituted 'liquidated damages' and whether such amount was taxable under the provisions of the CGST Act. In the case at hand, the assessee/petitioner was...

Order Deciding Director's Authority Is Not An Arbitral Or Interim Award, Not Open To Section 34 Challenge: Karnataka High Court

The Karnataka High Court has held that an order passed by an arbitral tribunal deciding a preliminary or a factual issue such as whether the directors were authorised to execute agreements does not amount to an arbitral award or an interim award and therefore cannot be challenged under section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 ("Arbitration Act"). A Division Bench comprising Justice Anu Sivaraman and Justice Vijaykumar A. Patil allowed a commercial appeal and set aside...

Non-Signatory Developer Can Be Impleaded In Arbitration If Conduct Shows Intent To Be Bound: Karnataka High Court

The Karnataka High Court has refused to interfere with an arbitral tribunal's decision impleading a non signatory company in arbitration proceedings holding that where conduct, agreements and commercial involvement of a party demonstrates clear intent to be bound by the arbitration agreement, the Group of Companies would apply. A Division Bench of Justice Jayant Banerji and Justice Umesh M Adiga dismissed a writ petition filed by Mantri Developers Pvt. Ltd., challenging a majority order...

IGST Not Leviable On Clinical Observation Studies Provided To Foreign Recipients: Karnataka High Court

The Karnataka High Court held that IGST (Integrated Goods and Services Tax) is not leviable on clinic observation studies for foreign recipients, as such services qualify as export of services with the recipient located outside India. Justice S.R. Krishna Kumar stated that having regard to the specific observations made in the 37th GST Council Meeting, whereby it was resolved to clarify the tax liability in GST liability in relation to foreign recipients for R & D services...

Karnataka High Court Annual TAX Digest 2025

Direct TaxProceedings Initiated Against Income Tax Assessee After His Death Cannot Be Continued Against Legal Representative: Karnataka HCCase Title: The Income Tax Officer & ANR Preeti VCase No:WRIT APPEAL NO. 1407 OF 2024The Karnataka High Court has said proceedings initiated against an Income Tax Assessee by issuing notice after his demise cannot be continued against his/her legal representative.A division bench of Justice Krishna S Dixit and Justice G Basavaraja said, “Had the...

Karnataka High Court Pulls Up CBIC For Non-Compliance, Seeks Clarity On Applicability Of S. 9(5) CGST Act To Uber's 'Subscription' Model

The Karnataka High Court directed the CBIC to clarify whether passenger transportation services under Uber's subscription model attract GST under Section 9(5) of the CGST Act. Justice S.R. Krishna Kumar also directed the CBIC to place the matter before the GST Council, if required, and file a status report. Section 9(5) of the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Act, 2017, is a special provision under the reverse charge mechanism that mandates an Electronic Commerce Operator...

“Illegal, Arbitrary & Colourable Exercise Of Power": Karnataka High Court Quashes Consolidated GST Show Cause Notice Clubbing Multiple FYs

The Karnataka High Court held that issuing a consolidated show cause notice for multiple financial years is illegal, arbitrary and contrary to the provisions of the CGST Act. The bench opined that a composite notice for multiple financial years enables the Department to blur the statutory distinction between Section 73 (non-fraud, etc.,- 3 year limitation) and Section 74 (fraud etc., - 5 year limitation). If certain years fall under Section 73, but the entire block is treated under ...

IGST Act | Place Of Supply Depends On Where Movement Terminates, Not Where Goods Were Handed To Carrier: Karnataka High Court

The Karnataka High Court held that for the purpose of determining the place of supply under Section 10(1)(a) of the IGST Act, the factor is the location where the movement of goods terminates for delivery to the recipient and not the place where the goods are handed over to the common carrier. Section 10(1)(a) of the Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) Act, 2017, provides that the place of supply for goods that are moved, whether by the supplier, recipient, or another party, is...

Bona Fide Errors In GSTR-3B Can Be Corrected; Karnataka High Court Directs Department To Accept Revised Returns

The Karnataka High Court held that bona fide errors in GSTR-3B returns are rectifiable and cannot be a ground to initiate proceedings under Section 73 of the KGST /CGST (Central Goods and Services Tax) Act. Justice S.R. Krishna Kumar directed the department to accept the revised returns, noting that the Supreme Court has also directed the CBIC to re-examine the provisions/timelines fixed for correcting the bona fide errors. In the case at hand, the assessee/petitioner is a works...

GST | Non-Mentioning Vehicle Number In Part-B Of E-Way Bill Is Curable Defect: Karnataka High Court

The Karnataka High Court in a matter concerning non-uploading of Part-B of E-way Bill, has set aside the revisional order and restored the order of Appellate Authority which allowed release of seized vehicle and imposed a General Penalty of Rs. 25000. Justice S.R. Krishna Kumar directed to refund the entire amount imposed on the Petitioner as penalty excluding Rs. 25000 as also instructed to return the bank guarantee. The Karnataka High Court emphasized on how omission of vehicle...

Karnataka High Court Issues Notice To ED On WinZO's Plea Challenging Search, Seizure In PMLA Probe

The Karnataka High Court on Monday issued notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on a petition filed by an online gaming company, Winzo Pvt Ltd, seeking to declare that the search and seizure carried out by the ED at its office between 18.11.2025 and 22.11.2025 in furtherance of an investigation in a money laundering case is illegal and void.Justice Suraj Govindaraj issued notice and directed the ED to file its response to the petition and posted the matter for further hearing on December...