GST Show-Cause Notices Without Physical or Digital Signatures of Proper Officer Declared Invalid Under Rule 142

HC ruled that GST show-cause notices and final orders lacking physical or digital signatures of the Proper Officer are legally invalid. The court emphasized that Rule 142 of GST Rules mandates prescribed Forms requiring signatures, making it a statutory requirement rather than optional. The presence of signature fields in DRC-01 and DRC-07 forms establishes this as a mandatory element. Section 160 of GST Act regarding procedural defects does not protect unsigned notices. The court aligned with precedents from other High Courts and IT Act provisions requiring proper authentication of electronic records. Consequently, the impugned notices and orders without Proper Officer signatures were held invalid and the petition was allowed. .....

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