LAXMI RAJKUMAR BAID vs. ASST COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ( OSD )

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SCA/10473/2018HC GujaratGJHC24041139201810 July 2018Author: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.R. SHAH,HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A.Y. KOGJE3 pages
AI SummaryWithdrawn

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, permitted the petitioners to withdraw the present petitions. The Court granted liberty to the petitioners to approach the concerned authority who passed the impugned orders under Section 179 of the Income Tax Act. The Court directed that any such representation made by the petitioners should be considered by the concerned authority on merits and in accordance with law. The judgment does not decide the substantive issues of liability or the adequacy of the opportunity provided.

What were the facts?

The petitioners, directors of two private limited companies (M/s. Siddhi Datha Infra Private Limited and M/s. Siddhi Vinayak Pilot Club (Private) Limited), filed these Special Civil Applications under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. They challenged impugned orders passed under Section 179 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, for the recovery of dues from these companies. The petitioners' main contention was that while they were served with a notice prior to the passing of the impugned orders, they were unable to avail of that opportunity. They sought permission to approach the authorities to explain their inability to avail the prior opportunity and to make submissions on merits.

What were the issues?

1. Whether the petitioners, as directors, are liable for the dues of the companies under Section 179 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, and if so, whether they were afforded a proper opportunity to be heard before the impugned orders were passed? (Mixed question of law and fact) Assessee's contention: The petitioners, directors of the companies, submitted that they received a notice before the impugned orders under Section 179 were passed but could not avail the opportunity. They sought liberty to approach the authorities to explain this and make submissions on merits. Revenue's contention: No specific contention is recorded for the revenue in the judgment.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 179

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

Cause title — parties, addresses and appearances
C/SCA/10471/2018 ORDER IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD R/SPECIAL CIVIL APPLICATION NO. 10471 of 2018 With R/SPECIAL CIVIL APPLICATION NO. 10472 of 2018 With R/SPECIAL CIVIL APPLICATION NO. 10473 of 2018 With R/SPECIAL CIVIL APPLICATION NO. 10474 of 2018 With R/SPECIAL CIVIL APPLICATION NO. 10475 of 2018 ================================================================ KAMAL KUMAR BAID Versus ASST COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ( OSD ) ================================================================ Appearance: MR. HARDIK V VORA(7123) for the PETITIONER(s) No. 1 for the RESPONDENT(s) No. 1 ================================================================ CORAM: HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.R. SHAH and HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE A.Y. KOGJE Date : 10/07/2018

COMMON ORAL ORDER (PER : HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.R. SHAH)

1.

In all these petitions under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, the respective petitioners / Directors of the original assessee – M/s. Siddhi Datha Infra Private Limited and M/s. Siddhi Vinayak Pilot Club (Private) Limited respectively have challenged the impugned orders under Section 179 of the Income Tax C/SCA/10471/2018 ORDER Act, 1961 for recovery of dues of the aforesaid two companies, of whom the petitioners are the Directors.

2.

Learned Advocate appearing on behalf of the petitioners Mr. Hardik V. Vora has submitted that the petitioners were served with a notice once before the impugned order under Section 179 of the Income Tax Act were passed. It is the case of the petitioners that however, the petitioners could not avail such an opportunity. Therefore, it is submitted that the petitioners may be permitted to approach the authorities, who had passed the impugned order/s under Section 179 of the Act, to point out the reasons as to why they could not avail the opportunity provided earlier and also to make the submissions on merits.

3.

In view of the above, learned Advocate appearing on behalf of the petitioners seeks permission to withdraw the present petitions with the aforesaid liberty.

4.

Without expressing anything on merits on the aforesaid, the petitioners are permitted to withdraw the present petitions with the aforesaid liberty. As and when such a C/SCA/10471/2018 ORDER representation / representations are made, the same may be considered by the concerned authority, on merits and in accordance with law. (M.R. SHAH, J) (A.Y. KOGJE, J) CAROLINE

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