Presumption of culpable mental state
Commencement. 22nd June, 2017 for sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 139, 146 and 164 1st July, 2017 for sections 6 to 9, 11 to 21, 31 to 41, 42 (except proviso to sub-section (9) of S 42), 43 (except proviso to subsection (9) of S 43), 44 to 50, 53 to 138, 140 to 163, 165 to 174.
Section 135 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 deals with presumption of culpable mental state. In any prosecution for an offence under this Act which requires a culpable mental state on the part of the accused, the court shall presume the existence of such mental state but it shall be a defence for the accused to prove the fact that he had no such mental state with respect to the act charged The Act was enacted on 12 Apr 2017.
In any prosecution for an offence under this Act which requires a culpable mental state on the part of the accused, the court shall presume the existence of such mental state but it shall be a defence for the accused to prove the fact that he had no such mental state with respect to the act charged as an offence in that prosecution.
Explanation.--For the purposes of this section,--
(i) the expression "culpable mental state" includes intention, motive, knowledge of a fact, and belief in, or reason to believe, a fact;
(ii) a fact is said to be proved only when the court believes it to exist beyond reasonable doubt and not merely when its existence is established by a preponderance of probability.
Section 135, The Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (Act 12 of 2017).
Questions about Section 135
What does Section 135 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act deal with?
Section 135 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act is headed "Presumption of culpable mental state". In any prosecution for an offence under this Act which requires a culpable mental state on the part of the accused, the court shall presume the existence of such mental state but it shall be a defence for the accused to prove the fact that he had no such mental state with respect to the act charged
How do I find court cases under Section 135 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: CGST Act 135, section 135 CGST Act, section 135 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.
When was Section 135 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act enacted?
Section 135 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, cited as CGST Act 135, was enacted on 12 Apr 2017 as Act 12 of 2017. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
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Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.