NEW DELHI/MUMBAI, April 1 -- The Supreme Court on Wednesday took up a long-running tax dispute over a key steelmaking input, with steelmakers such as Jindal Steel (formerly Jindal Steel & Power Ltd) challenging the customs department on whether coke breeze qualifies for a duty exemption available to metallurgical coke.

A bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe agreed to hear the case and settle the core question, a ruling that will determine how such materials are treated for tax purposes and could have cost implications for steelmakers.

"Appeal admitted; hearing expedited," the court remarked.

The case stems from conflicting rulings by the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) in 2025, leaving the tax tr...