Central Warehousing Corporation v. Union of India and Ors

O R D E R %

25.08.2026

¶1The Petitioner herein is a Public Sector Undertaking. A Show Cause Notice dated 12.01.2021 was issued under Section 74 of the CGST/DGST Act, 2017, in respect of the period from April, 2018 to March, 2019.

¶2The Petitioner submitted its reply to the Show Cause Notice on

20.01.2021. However, on the last date, i.e. 31.12.2025, the impugned non-speaking order came to be passed by the Authority. The order merely records that the reply filed by the Petitioner was considered; however, the manner and extent of such consideration are not borne out from the record.

¶3It is pertinent to note that the reply was submitted by the Petitioner in This is a digitally signed order. January, 2021, whereas the impugned order came to be passed nearly five years thereafter, on 31.12.2025. The manner in which the order has been passed, on the last day before the proceedings were to lapse, prima facie indicates that the order is a cyclostyled order, without due consideration of the reply submitted by the Petitioner.

¶4An ex parteorder has been passed.

¶5In the peculiar facts and circumstances of the present case, the impugned order dated 31.12.2025 is set aside. The Adjudicating Officer is directed to pass a fresh order in accordance with law, after affording the Petitioner an effective opportunity of personal hearing.

¶6It is also observed that the various organs of the Government ought to endeavour to resolve inter-departmental disputes amicably, rather than burdening the Courts with avoidable litigation.

¶7In view of the aforesaid, it is expected that the Senior Officials of both the Departments shall hold a meeting and make an endeavour to resolve the controversy, to the extent possible, in an amicable manner.

¶8With the aforesaid observations and directions, the writ petition is allowed. ANIL KSHETARPAL, J AMIT MAHAJAN, J AUGUST 25, 2026/pd/rm This is a digitally signed order.

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI # CNR No. DLHC010386452026 + W.P.(C) 11989/2026, CM APPL. 55664/2026 & CM APPL. 55665/2026 CENTRAL WAREHOUSING CORPORATION .....Petitioner Through: Ms. Richa Kapoor & Mr. Arnav Mehta, Advs. versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS .....Respondents Through: Ms. Vaishali Gupta, Panel Counsel, GNCTD Ms. Urvashi Basak, Government Pleader CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL KSHETARPAL HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AMIT MAHAJAN