PRAKASH DHONDIRAM KOLI vs. INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL, PUNE BENCH
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court observed that the issue of the Tribunal's jurisdiction to condone delay beyond six months was not raised before the Tribunal, and therefore, the Tribunal did not have an opportunity to decide on it, nor did the revenue have an opportunity to make submissions. Consequently, the High Court set aside the impugned order and restored the matter to the file of the Tribunal. The petitioner was granted liberty to file a formal reply to the Miscellaneous Application, raising all contentions, including the one regarding the Tribunal's power to condone delay beyond six months, along with a compilation of relied-upon decisions. The revenue was also granted liberty to file a counter and its own compilation of decisions. The Tribunal was directed to dispose of the Miscellaneous Application in accordance with law and on its merits expeditiously, keeping all contentions open. The operative direction was to set aside the impugned order and restore the matter to the Tribunal.
What were the facts?
The petitioner, Prakash Dhondiram Koli, challenged an order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Pune Bench, dated 4 September 2024, and a consequential order dated 1 January 2025. The petitioner argued that the ITAT entertained a Miscellaneous Application under Section 254(2) of the Income Tax Act beyond the prescribed six-month period by condoning the delay. Furthermore, the petitioner contended that the impugned order relied on a Supreme Court decision delivered after the original order, which is not a valid ground for rectification. The High Court noted that the issue of the Tribunal's jurisdiction to condone delay beyond six months was not raised before the Tribunal, nor did the revenue have an opportunity to make submissions on it.
What were the issues?
1. Whether the Tribunal had the jurisdiction to entertain a Miscellaneous Application under Section 254(2) of the Income Tax Act beyond the prescribed period of six months by condoning the delay. 2. Whether reliance on a Supreme Court decision delivered subsequent to the original order is a valid ground for rectification under Section 254(2) of the Income Tax Act. Assessee's Contentions: The assessee argued that the Tribunal entertained the Miscellaneous Application beyond the six-month period by purporting to condone the delay. The assessee also contended that reliance on a subsequent Supreme Court decision is not a good ground for rectification. Revenue's Contentions: The judgment records no specific contentions from the revenue regarding the issues raised by the assessee.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
ppn 1 16.wp-2554.25 (modified).docx IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION NO.2554 OF 2025 Prakash Dhondiram Koli .. Petitioner Versus Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Pune Bench & Ors. .. Respondents _______________________________________________________________ Mr. Sanket Bora a/w Ms. Vidhi Punmiya, Mr. Amiya R. Das and Ms. Unnatii Thakkar i/by SPCM Legal for the petitioner. Mr. Arjun Gupta for the respondents-revenue. _______________________________________________________________
CORAM : M. S. Sonak & Jitendra Jain, JJ.
DATE : 24 February 2025 P.C. (Per M. S. Sonak, J.) :- 1. Heard learned counsel for the parties. 2. Rule. Rule is made returnable immediately at the request and with the consent of the learned counsel for the parties. 3. The petitioner challenges the Tribunal’s order dated 4 September 2024 along with consequential order giving effect dated 1 January 2025. 4. Mr. Bora, learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the Tribunal in this case, entertained a Miscellaneous Application under sub- section (2) of Section 254 of the Income Tax Act (‘the Act’) beyond the prescribed period of six months by purporting to condone the delay in its institution. Besides, he submitted that the impugned order relies upon the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court which was subsequently delivered. He submits that any such subsequent decision is not a good ground for rectification. 5. From the perusal of the impugned order as well as the submissions across the bar, it is apparent that the point of the Tribunal PRACHI PRANESH NANDIWADEKAR Digitally signed by PRACHI PRANESH NANDIWADEKAR Date: 2025.03.18 16:11:04 +0530
ppn 2 16.wp-2554.25 (modified).docx allegedly having no jurisdiction to condone delay beyond six months was never raised by the petitioner. Therefore, the Tribunal, did not have an opportunity to decide on the same. Similarly, even the revenue had no opportunity to make its submissions on this issue. 6. In the above circumstances, we think that the interest of justice would be met if the impugned order is set aside and the matter is restored to the file of the Tribunal. 7. Mr. Bora states that the petitioner will file a formal reply to the Miscellaneous Application raising all contentions, including the contention based on the power of the Tribunal to condone delay beyond six months in such matters. He states that he will file a compilation of decisions on which the petitioner seeks to rely upon. Statement is accepted. The Tribunal should allow the petitioner to file such reply along with compilation of decisions on which the petitioner seeks to rely upon. If the revenue wishes to file a counter and submit its own compilation of decisions, even that liberty is granted to the revenue. 8. The Tribunal should dispose of the revenue’s Miscellaneous Application in accordance with law and on its own merits as expeditiously as possible. All contentions are kept open. 9. All concerned to act on the authenticated copy of this order. 10. The petitioner and the representatives of the respondents to appear before the Tribunal on 20 March 2025 and file an authenticated copy of this order. (Jitendra Jain, J.)
(M. S. Sonak, J.) (This order is corrected as per speaking to the minutes of the order dated 17 March 2025.)
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