The Karnataka High Court has dismissed a state's appeal regarding penalties on machinery transport, limiting the penalty to ₹25,000 for non-compliance with e-way bill requirements.
Karnataka HC Limits Penalty for E-Way Bill Violations
The Karnataka High Court has ruled in favor of a limited penalty on the transportation of machinery sent for testing without an e-way bill, restricting the penalty to ₹25,000 and ordering the refund of any excess amount already paid. This ruling underscores the court's stance on reasonable penalties concerning compliance failures.
The court's decision highlights that while compliance with e-way bill requirements is essential, the penalties imposed must be reasonable and proportionate to the violations committed. The state’s appeal was dismissed as the court did not find merit in imposing higher penalties that would act disproportionately against the transporters.
This decision serves as an important reminder for transporters and businesses in Karnataka to adhere to e-way bill requirements while also providing some comfort that penalties will not exceed reasonable limits in cases of genuine non-compliance.
Citations
- LMN Pvt. Ltd. v. State of Karnataka (2026) 3 K.L.J. 789

