Limitation vs ITC Rights

This ruling reinforces that the retrospective insertion of Section 16(5) of the CGST Act overrides the earlier time restriction under Section 16(4) for specified financial years. 

Where returns were filed within the extended timeline up to 30 November 2021, ITC claims cannot be rejected merely as time-barred. 

The Court clarified that authorities may examine eligibility on merits, but cannot deny ITC on limitation once the benefit of Section 16(5) applies.