M/S.DECCAN STRIPS AND TUBES PRIVATE LIMITED( FORMERLY KNOWN AS M/S D.T.TUBES PRIVATE LIMITED),HYDERABAD vs. DY. COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX , CIRCLE-17(1), HYDERABAD

We notice at the outset that assessee’s instant appeals suffer from 23 days delay in filing the appeals in & 1937/Hyd/2017 and 8 days delay in filing appeal in ITA no. 1760/Hyd/2017 respectively. To this effect, the assessee filed condonation petitions along with affidavits affirming, inter-alia, therein that at the relevant point of time its counsel who was looking after income-tax matter was ill which caused the impugned delay in filing of the instant appeals. Case law Collector Land Acquisition vs Mst. Katiji & Ors, 1987 AIR 1353 (SC) and University of Delhi Vs. Union of India, Civil Appeal No. 9488 & 9489/2019 dated 17 December, 2019, hold that such a delay; supported by cogent reasons, deserves to be condoned so as to make way for the cause of substantial justice. We accordingly hold that assessee’s impugned delay in filing the appeals is neither intentional nor deliberate but due to the circumstances beyond its control. The same stands condoned. Cases are now taken up for adjudication on merits.

At the outset, the ld. counsel for the assessee submitted that that the assessee has opted to avail the benefit under the ‘Direct Tax Vivad Se Viswas Scheme-2020’ in prescribed Form No.1 & 2 and received Form(s)-3 in tune thereto for AY 2009-10 and awaiting to receive Form(s) 3 for AYs 2010-11 and 2011-12, and therefore, requested the Bench to permit to withdraw these appeals of the assessee. 3. Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case, we are inclined to dismiss the appeals of the assessee as withdrawn since the assessee has preferred to avail the Vivad-se-Vishwas Scheme by filing Form No.1 & 2 and received Form(s)-3 for AY 2009-10 and awaiting to receive Form No. 3 for AYs 2010-11 and 2011-12, with a rider that it shall be very much open for the assessee to file for revival of these cases, if the settlement benefit under the scheme is denied to it for technical reasons.

In the result, assessee’s appeals are dismissed in above terms. Pronounced in the open court on 5th April, 2021.