Allahabad High Court To Hear Awadh Bar Association's Plea Seeking Establishment Of GST Appellate Tribunal At Lucknow Tomorrow

On a submission made by the Awadh Bar Association that there is "extreme urgency" in the matter, a Division Bench comprising of Justices Ritu Raj Awasthi and Manish Mathur granted a day's time to the counsels appearing for the Union of India; the GST Council; UP Government and Commissioner, Commercial Tax, UP, to seek instructions in the matter.

It has fixed the case for hearing on March 4.

The order stated,

"Learned counsel for opposite parties no.1 and 2 as well as learned Standing Counsel appearing on behalf of opposite parties no.3 and 4 pray for and are allowed one day's time to complete their instructions in the matter. On their request, case is adjourned today.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that there is extreme urgency in the matter. Considering the same, list/put up on 4th March, 2021, as fresh."

In its plea, the Association opposed proposals for establishment of the Tribunal at Allahabad. It said the fact that the principal seat of the High Court is in Allahabad is not relevant for the purpose of deciding the location of the tribunal.

It further submitted that Lucknow is very convenient to the litigants in view of its geographical situation, well connectivity with railways, airway as well as expressways and highways, and therefore, litigants can easily come to Lucknow to pursue their cases in the city.

Further, the GST Tribunal would be substituting the Commercial Tax Tribunial (Vat Tribunal) which has its Headquarter at Lucknow.

Furthermore, the Area Bench proposed to be established at Prayagraj will cater to the needs of the litigants of Allahabad and surrounding areas and therefore, there will not be any hardship to the litigants of that region.

Also Read: Awadh Bar Association Moves Allahabad High Court For GST Appellate Tribunal At Lucknow

Petitioner to be represented by Senior Advocates HGS Parihar and JN Mathur with Advocates Dr. Lalta Prasad Mishra and Prafulla Tiwari.

Senior Advocate/ASGI Shashi Prakash Singh with Central Government Counsel Sudhanshu Chauhan for Union of India & GST Council.

Standing Counsel QH Rizvi for UP Govt.

Case Title: Awadh Bar Association & Anr. v Union of India & Ors.

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