Bombay High Court extends GST arrest protection for six weeks to seek regular bail

The Bombay High Court granted an extension of interim bail protection in a Goods and Services Tax matter, giving the petitioner a six-week window of safety from coercive action. Alongside the extension, the bench issued a specific directive instructing the petitioner to approach the competent criminal court within this timeframe to apply for further legal remedies and regular bail.

This interim measure provides temporary breathing room for individuals navigating serious tax evasion investigations, allowing them to transition their legal defense from the High Court to the appropriate trial or criminal court. It ensures that the accused is not subjected to sudden arrest while preparing formal bail applications before the jurisdictionally competent criminal forum.

The petitioner must file the necessary bail application before the designated criminal court within the stipulated six-week period to secure long-term protection. Tax advisors and legal representatives should ensure their clients comply with all procedural conditions attached to the interim protection order while preparing filings for the criminal court.