THE DIRECTOR OF INCOME TAX (EXEMPTION), MUMBAI vs. THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL AND ANR.

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WP/1276/2014HC Bombay04 February 2014Bench: HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE, HON'BLE SHRI JUSTICE M.S. SANKLECHA16 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court held that the Tribunal's order directing the refund was justified. The Court found the Assessing Officer's actions of attaching the bank account and withdrawing Rs. 159.84 crores on November 18, 2013, to be illegal and arbitrary, especially since the Assessee had filed an appeal and a stay application with the Tribunal on the same day. The Court emphasized that the Assessing Officer's actions were contrary to the binding decision of the High Court in UTI Mutual Fund vs. ITO and violated the principles of the rule of law. The Court stated that the Tribunal, in its inherent powers, could rectify such illegal and high-handed actions by the Revenue to prevent the assessee from being left without remedy. The Court also clarified that the existence of a pending writ petition or the denial of a stay by the Assessing Officer or CIT(A) did not extinguish the Tribunal's power to consider and grant a stay in an appeal before it. Therefore, the Tribunal was empowered to order the refund to restore the status quo ante. The High Court dismissed the petition filed by the Revenue, but left it open for the Tribunal to pass further orders after hearing the parties, as the appeal was scheduled for final hearing.

What were the facts?

The Director of Income Tax (Exemption), Mumbai (Revenue) challenged an order dated November 25, 2013, by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (Tribunal) directing the Revenue to refund Rs. 159.84 crores to the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Assessee) within 10 days. The Assessee, a statutory corporation, claimed exemption under Section 11 for AY 2010-11. The Assessing Officer denied this exemption, leading to a demand notice of Rs. 199.82 crores. The Assessee paid an instalment and sought a stay. The Commissioner of Income Tax modified the stay terms. Subsequently, the Assessee filed a writ petition, which was dismissed. The CIT(A) dismissed the Assessee's appeal. On November 18, 2013, the Assessing Officer attached the Assessee's bank account and withdrew Rs. 159.84 crores, despite the Assessee filing an appeal and stay application with the Tribunal on the same day. The Tribunal directed the refund of this amount.

What were the issues?

1. Whether the Tribunal had the jurisdiction to direct a refund of Rs. 159.84 crores when the Assessee's appeal was pending before it and the Revenue contended that the Tribunal had no jurisdiction to grant a stay as the matter was agitated before the High Court? Assessee's arguments: The Assessee argued that the Revenue's action of attaching the bank account and withdrawing Rs. 159.84 crores on November 18, 2013, was illegal and arbitrary, occurring within two days of receiving the CIT(A)'s order and before the Tribunal could hear its stay application. They relied on the High Court's decision in UTI Mutual Fund vs. ITO, stating that the Assessing Officer was bound by this precedent. The Assessee contended that the Tribunal's order to refund was an exercise of its inherent powers to correct illegal actions by the Revenue and restore the status quo ante. Revenue's arguments: The Revenue argued that the Tribunal was not entitled to direct a refund because it had held that it had no jurisdiction to grant a stay, especially as a writ petition was pending before the High Court. They contended that once the amount was withdrawn, there was nothing to stay, and therefore, the Tribunal could not have granted a stay. The Revenue also argued that the Assessee's writ petition before the High Court was for seeking a stay of earlier orders, and it would come to an end when the Tribunal was seized of a stay application.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 11,Section 2(15),Section 156,Section 220(6),Section 226(3),Section 254(2A)

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ASN 1/16 WP-3174-13 .sxw IN THE HIGH COURT  OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY ORDINARY ORIGINAL CIVIL JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION (L) NO.3174 OF 2013 The Director of Income Tax (Exemption), Mumbai, Having his office at Room No.616, 6th floor, Piramal Chambers, Parel, Mumbai 400 012. ...Petitioner. vs. 1) The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal Mumbai Branch B, represented by the Assistant Registrar, having its Benches at M.K.Road, Mumbai 400020. 2) The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority, Griha Nirman Bhuvan, 4th floor, Bandra (E), Mumbai 400 051. ...Respondents. Mr. Vimal Gupta Sr. Advocate along with Ms. Padma Divakar for the Petitioner. Mr. Pradeep Jetaly, Mr. M.S. Bhardwaj  and Vinod Joshi for Respondent No.1. Mr. S.E.Dastur, Sr. Advocate   with Mr. Nishant Thakkar i/by Mint & Conferer  for R. No.2 CORAM :      MOHIT S. SHAH, C.J. AND

M.S. SANKLECHA, J. Reserved on :   30 JANUARY  2014 Pronounced on :     4 FEBRUARY 2014. C.A.V. JUDGMENT: (PER M.S. SANKLECHA, J.)­ At the request of the parties, the petition is taken up for final disposal  at the stage of admission. CNR No : HCBM020247312013 Uploaded on - 21/08/2020 Downloaded on - 28/10/2026 04:18:10

ASN 2/16 WP-3174-13 .sxw 2) This petition by the revenue challenges the order dated 25 November 2013 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (“the Tribunal”) directing the petitioner revenue to refund an amount of Rs.159,84,03,720/­ (rounded of to Rs.159.84 crores   for this order) within 10 days from the receipt of the impugned order. The impugned order directing refund has been passed in a pending appeal  before the Tribunal which is fixed for final hearing on 4 February 2014. 2) Brief facts leading to this petition are as under: a) The petitioner is a Director of Income Tax (Exemption) having   jurisdiction     over   the   respondent   No.2   assessee   under   the Income Tax Act, 1961 (“the Act”).The respondent No.1 is the final authority   under   the   Act   dealing   with   appellable   orders   passed   by authorities under the Act. The respondent No.2 assessee is a statutory corporation   established   under   the   Maharashtra   Area   Housing   and Development Act, 1976. The respondent No.2 is  engaged in the activity of constructing and providing accommodations to economically weaker sections of the society. b) On 30 September 2010, respondent No.2 filed its return of income for assessment year 2010­11 showing its taxable  income as Nil. This was based on a  claim for exemption under Section 11 of the   Act. c) On   18   March   2013,   the   Assessing   Officer   passed   an assessment order for assessment year 2010­11 denying  the respondent No.2 ­assessee   the exemption under Section 11 of the Act as the Uploaded on - 21/08/2020 Downloaded on - 28/10/2026 04:18:10

ASN 3/16 WP-3174-13 .sxw activities   of   respondent   No.2­assessee   did   not   satisfy   the   amended definition   of   charitable   purpose   under   Section   2(15)   of   the   Act. Pursuant   to   the   above     assessment   order   dated   18   March   2013   a demand notice under Section 156 of the Act for   Rs.199.82 crores (Rs.146.91 crores  of tax and Rs.52.88 crores of interest) was issued on 18 March 2013 itself to respondent No.2.. d) Being aggrieved by the assessment order dated 18 March 2013 of the Assessing Officer an appeal was filed on 18 April 2013 to Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) (CIT)(A). At about the same time   on   19   April   2013   the   petitioner     filed   an   application   under Section220(6) of the Act  with the Assessing officer  seeking a stay of the demand consequent to assessment order dated 18 March 2013 for A.Y.  2010­11.   The    Assessing Officer  by  order  dated  23  July  2013 granted a conditional stay of the demand on the respondent No.2­ assessee   paying the entire demand of Rs.199.82 crores  in nine equal monthly instalments of Rs.22.20 crores. Respondent No.2­assessee  did pay    the first instalment of Rs.22.20 crores     on  30 July 2013 in accordance with order dated 23 July 2013. However, before the time to pay the second instalment arrived, respondent No.2­assessee filed an application on 12 August 2013 before the Commissioner of Income Tax as the  administrative head seeking a complete stay of the demand of Rs.199.82 crores. e) On 4 September 2013, the Commissioner of Income Tax modified the terms of the stay  granted  by the Assessing Officer and and directed respondent No.2­assessee   to pay the outstanding balance Uploaded on - 21/08/2020 Downloaded on - 28/10/2026 04:18:10

ASN 4/16 WP-3174-13 .sxw aggregate demand in 10­equal instalments of Rs.17.76 crores beginning with 15 September 2013. Respondent No.2 paid the first instalment on 15 September 2013. Therefore, respondent No.2 had in the aggregate paid an amount of Rs.39.96 crores out of total  demand of Rs.199.80 crores ( Rs.146.91 crores tax and Rs.12.88 crores  as interest). f) Thereafter,   before   the     second   instalment   became   due, respondent   No.2­assessee   on   10   October   2013   filed   Writ   Petition No.2544 of 2013 in this Court seeking stay of demand and the quashing of  orders dated 23 July 2013 of the Assessing Officer and 4 September 2013 of the  Commissioner of Income Tax. No orders were obtained by respondent No.2 in its Writ Petition No. 2544 of 2013 filed in this Court. However,   the   Commissioner   of   Income   Tax   (Appeals)   did   hear respondent No.2 assessee on its appeal from the order of the Assessing Officer dated 18 March 2013 and passed an order   dismissing the appeal on 29 October 2013. A certified copy of the order dated 29 October 2013 of CIT(A) was served upon the respondent No.2 assessee only on 16 November 2013(Saturday). g) On   11   November   2013,   the   Assessing   Officer   issued   a recovery   notice   to   respondent   No.2   calling   upon   it   to   pay   by   15 November   2013 the outstanding demand   consequent to assessment order dated 18 March 2013.   Respondent No. 2 assessee by its letter to the Assessing Officer pointed out that they have not yet received the order   of   the   CIT(A)   and   they   would  be   filing   an   appeal   and  stay application  to the Tribunal. Attention was also drawn to the decision of this Court in UTI Mutual Fund vs. ITO 345 ITR 71   praying that no Uploaded on - 21/08/2020 Downloaded on - 28/10/2026 04:18:10

ASN 5/16 WP-3174-13 .sxw recovery   be made till the disposal of its stay application before the Tribunal. However, by communication   dated 14 November2013 the Assessing Officer rejected the prayer for staying the recovery proceeding made by respondent No.2 assessee while directing compliance with the direction in letter dated 11 November 2013 latest by 15 November 2012. h) It was only on 16 November 2013 (Saturday)  a certified copy of the order dated 29 October 2013 passed by CIT(A) was served upon respondent No.2. Immediately on   receipt of the order of the CIT(A), the respondent No.2 prepared an appeal and stay application to the Tribunal  and filed the same on 18 November 2013. The hearing of the above  stay application was fixed for hearing on 22 November 2013 by the Tribunal.  Immediately on filing of the above appeal and the stay application the Assessing Officer was served on 18 November 2013 itself with copies of the appeal and stay application and also requested the Assessing Officer to refrain from taking any coercive action  pending disposal of the stay application fixed on 22 November 2013 by the Tribunal. i) However,     on   18   November   2013   the   Assessing   Officer commenced the recovery proceeding from respondent No.2 assessee under Section 226(3) of the Act by attaching the bank account of respondent   No.2   for   a   sum   of   Rs.159.84   crores.   Thereafter   on   18 November 2013   itself the aforesaid attached   amount of Rs.159.84 crores was also withdrawn by the petitioner­revenue. Uploaded on - 21/08/2020 Downloaded on - 28/10/2026 04:18:10

ASN 6/16 WP-3174-13 .sxw j) On 22 November 2013 the Tribunal heard respondent No.2 and   the   petitioner.   Thereafter   by   the   impugned   order   the   Tribunal directed   the   petitioner­revenue   to   refund   the   entire   amount   of Rs.159.84 crores to respondent No.2 within 10 days from the receipt of the order. It is against the aforesaid directions in the impugned order dated 25 November 2013 that this petition has been filed. 3) Mr. Vimal Gupta, learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner revenue in support of the petition submits as under: a) On facts it is stated that the bank account was attached on the morning of 18 November 2013 while the intimation about the filing of the appeal and stay application before the Tribunal was filed in the office of the petitioner only at 3.30p.m. and reached the Assessing Officer only at 5.30p.m. of 18 November 2013. In the mean time the amounts which were attached had already been withdrawn. Therefore, the attachment and withdrawal of the amounts by the Assessing Officer was prior to knowledge of the filing of the appeal and stay application to the Tribunal and fixing of the hearing on 22 November 2013. b) The impugned order dated 25 November 2013 is without jurisdiction.   This   submission   was   premised   on   the   fact   that   the impugned order holds that it cannot exercise jurisdiction with regard to the stay of the recovery of the demand as the matter is subjudice before this   Court   in   view   of   respondent   No.2   having   filed   Writ   Petition No.2544 of 2013.Therefore it is submitted that the Tribunal in the Uploaded on - 21/08/2020 Downloaded on - 28/10/2026 04:18:10

ASN 7/16 WP-3174-13 .sxw absence of jurisdiction to hear the stay application   could not have directed  the petitioner to refund the amount of  Rs.159.84 crores to respondent No.2 within 10 days from the receipt of its order. c) The decision of Bombay High Court in the case of UTI Mutual Fund vs. ITO(supra)  as well as decision of the Tribunal in the matter   of  RPG   Enterprises   Limited   vs.   DCIT   251   ITR   20   (ITAT Mumbai)   and Maharashtra State Electricity Board vs. JCIT 81 ITD 299 (ITAT Mumbai) relied upon in the impugned order are  rendered in different fact situation and would have no application in the present facts. The distinguishing feature in this case according to the petitioner was that  respondent No.2's writ petition was pending before this Court which was not so in the cases relied upon. Therefore, the Tribunal could not have directed  a refund while holding it  has no jurisdiction to grant stay as the matter is subjudice before this Court. and d) The notice of demand was issued to respondent No.2 under Section 156 of the Act on 18 March 2013. The application for stay filed by respondent No.2 under Section 220(6) were disposed of by the Assessing officer's order dated 23 July 2013 and further application by Commissioner of Income Tax by the order dated 4 September 2013 granting a stay of the demand subject to payment of tax by installments. The respondent No.2- assessee not having complied with the conditional order of the stay the amounts demanded by a notice dated 18 March 2013 became payable. Though the respondent No.2 had filed writ petition in this Court seeking stay of notice of demand, no orders in respect thereof were obtained from the Court. In the above  circumstances, it is submitted that action of the Assessing Officer Uploaded on - 21/08/2020 Downloaded on - 28/10/2026 04:18:10

ASN 8/16 WP-3174-13 .sxw in attaching the respondent's bank account and recovering the amount of Rs.159.84 crores  cannot be found fault with. 4) Mr.   Soli   Dastur,   learned   Senior   Counsel   appearing   for respondent No.2 in support of the impugned order dated 25 November 2013 submits as under:­ a) The course of events on 18 November 2013 as  stated by the   petitioner   is   disputed.   According   to     respondent   No.2     on   18 November 2013 (Monday) respondent No.2­assessee   filed its appeal and   stay   application   before   the   Tribunal.   The   stay   application   was scheduled to be heard on 22 November 2013. On 18 November 2013 itself not only was the appeal and the stay application  served  upon the Assessing   Officer   at   about   12.30p.m.   But   intimation   that   stay application was listed for hearing on 22 November 2013 was also given to   the   Assessing   Officer.   Notwithstanding   the   above,   the   Assessing Officer visited the bankers of respondent No.2 in the afternoon and delivered   a   notice   under   Section   226(3)   to   the   Manager   of   the petitioner's bank and forcibly recovered the amount of Rs.159.84 crores. The   above   conduct,   it   is   submitted,   clearly   demonstrates   that   the Assessing Officer wanted to preempt the Tribunal from dealing with the petitioner's   stay application   which was scheduled for hearing on 22 November 2013. b) No fault can be found with the   impugned order dated 25 November 2013 of the Tribunal directing a refund of the entire amount of Rs.159.84 crores  as it merely follows the  binding decisions of this Uploaded on - 21/08/2020 Downloaded on - 28/10/2026 04:18:10

ASN 9/16 WP-3174-13 .sxw Court   in  Mahindra and Mahindra Vs. Union of India 59 ELT 505 wherein the amounts recovered by the revenue by encashing  the bank guarantee even before the time to file appeal had  expired was ordered to be  refunded  to the assessee. Further,  the revenue was restrained from adopting coercive proceedings for recovery till the  disposal of the stay application.  In this case, order of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) was received by respondent No.2  only on 16 November 2013 and   respondent No.2 had 60 days time to file an appeal and   stay application to the Tribunal.  The petitioner revenue did not wait even for   four   days   after   communicating   the   order   of   the   CIT   (A)   to respondent No.2 before adopting  coercive proceedings to take  away forcibly the amount of Rs.159.84 crores from the respondent No.2's bank   account.   Besides   this   Court   in   UTI   (supra)   has   laid   down guidelines   for   the   authorities   under   the   Act   and   directed   that   no coercive proceedings should be taken   till the period to file an appeal expires. Moreover, it also directed the authorities under the Act not to withdraw  money from the attached bank account without giving notice to the assessee to enable the assessee to  obtain appropriate orders. c) The action of the petitioner revenue in not only attaching the   petitioner's   bank   account   but   also   withdrawing   the   amount   of Rs.159.84 crores on 18 November 2013 when the stay application was already fixed for hearing before the Tribunal   on 22 November 2013 was only done with a   malafide   intent to foreclose respondent No.2 from obtaining any stay from the Tribunal.  Besides  rendering nugatory the powers of the Tribunal in terms of proviso to Section 254(2A) of the Act to grant stay  in respect of any proceeding relating to an appeal filed Uploaded on - 21/08/2020 Downloaded on - 28/10/2026 04:18:10

ASN 10/16 WP-3174-13 .sxw before it. The action of the petitioner  was a malafide attempt to render the   Tribunal   powerless.   Therefore,   in   the   above   circumstances   the impugned order  cannot be faulted with as it  only  corrects an unjust and arbitrary exercise of powers  by the Assessing Officer in recovering the amount of Rs.159.84 crores   from   bank account of respondent No.2. d) The   impugned   order   of   the   Tribunal   directing   refund merely restores the status quo ante i. e. the position as existing on 18 November 2013. The non granting of stay by the Tribunal because it was of the view that the subject matter of the stay before the Tribunal was also the subject matter of a writ before the High Court does not in any  way detract from the inherent powers of the Tribunal as a quasi judicial authority to  right a wrong which has been done to any party before it.  Therefore, the Tribunal holding that it has no jurisdiction  to deal with application for stay,  has nothing to do with the power of the Tribunal   to   grant   refund   of   amount   illegally   collected   pending   the hearing of stay application by the Tribunal. This is particularly so as no stay could have been granted by the Tribunal on the application for stay in view of the fact that there was nothing to be stayed as the amount of Rs.159.84   crores   had   already   been   taken   away   by   the   petitioner revenue. Besides, there was no reason to be in such unseemly hurry when    an amount of Rs.39.96 crores  i.e. 25% of the tax demand  of Rs.146.91 crores has already been deposited.   In view of the above, it is submitted that the petition should not be entertained. Uploaded on - 21/08/2020 Downloaded on - 28/10/2026 04:18:10

ASN 11/16 WP-3174-13 .sxw 5) We have considered the rival submissions. We find that the order dated 29 October   2013 of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) dismissing the appeal of respondent No.2 was served upon respondent No.2 only on 16 November 2013 (Saturday). Respondent No.2 filed an appeal and stay application before the Tribunal on the next working day i.e. 18 November 2013 and informed the Assessing Officer  that the  hearing of the stay application of respondent No.2 was fixed on 22 November 2013. There is a dispute on the sequence of events on 18 November 2013 between the parties. According to the petitioner the notice was served by respondent No.2 only at 3.30p.m. in the Income Tax office and the Assessing Officer got notice of the same only in the evening i.e. after attachment and withdrawal of the amounts from the bank. According to respondent No.2, the notice of hearing as well as the appeal and stay application was served on the Assessing Officer on 18 November 2013 at 12.30 p.m.  It is relevant to note that the  sequence  of  events  on 18   November 2013  being  urged by  the petitioner is stated for the first time in its affidavit in rejoinder. This is not found mentioned in the impugned order of the Tribunal or also in its petition as filed. Therefore, it does  cast a doubt on the sequence of event being suggested by the petitioner at the bar on the basis of averments made only in the affidavit in rejoinder. However, for the purposes of these proceedings we nevertheless proceed on the basis of sequence of events as stated by the revenue. 6) The Act provides a period of sixty days to an assessee to file an appeal from the order of CIT(A) to the Tribunal. This Court in the matter   of   UTI   (supra)   has   laid   down   the   following   guidelines   for Uploaded on - 21/08/2020 Downloaded on - 28/10/2026 04:18:10

ASN 12/16 WP-3174-13 .sxw effecting recovery of dues. “1.   No recovery of tax should be made pending (a)  Expiry of the time limit for filing an appeal; (b) Disposal of a stay application, if any, moved by the assessee and for a reasonable period thereafter to enable the assessee to move a higher forum, if so   advised   coercive   steps   may,   however,   he adopted where the authority has reason to believe that the assessee may defeat the demand, in which case brief reasons may be indicated. 2.   The application, if any, moved by the assessee should be disposed of after hearing the assessee and bearing in mind the guidelines in KEC International Ltd. (supra); 3.   If the Assessing Officer has taken a view contrary to what has been held in the preceding previous years without there being a material change in facts or law, that   is   a   relevant   consideration   in   deciding   the application for stay; 4.   When a bank account has been attached, before withdrawing   the   amount,   reasonable   prior   notice should   be   furnished   to   the   assessee   to   enable   the assessee to make a representation or seek recourse to a remedy in law; 5.   In exercising the powers of stay, the Income Tax Officer should not act as a mere tax gatherer but as a quasi judicial authority vested with the public duty of protecting the interest of the Revenue while the same time balancing the need to mitigate hardship to the assessee. Though the assessing officer has made an assessment, he must objectively decide the application for stay considering that an appeal lies against his order;   the   matter   must   be   considered   from   all   its facets, balancing the interest of the assessee with the protection of the Revenue.” Uploaded on - 21/08/2020 Downloaded on - 28/10/2026 04:18:10

ASN 13/16 WP-3174-13 .sxw The above order in UTI (supra) was brought to  the notice of the Assessing Officer on 13 November 2013 by respondent No.2 while pointing out that it would be filing an appeal and stay application to the Tribunal in respect of the order of CIT(A). 7) The action of the petitioner revenue, in particular, the Assessing Officer was in defiance of the above directions  of this Court in UTI Mutual Funds vs. ITO (supra) wherein this Court had inter alia directed the revenue that no recovery of tax should be made before expiry of the time limit for filing an appeal  before the higher forum has expired.  The Court also has directed  that when the bank account has been attached the revenue would not withdraw the amount unless it has furnished a reasonable prior notice to the assessee to enable the assessee   to   seek   recourse   to   a   remedy   in   law.   The   action   of   the petitioner   revenue   in   not   only   attaching   the   bank   account   but withdrawing the money from the bank was before the expiry of the time limit for filing appeal  was only  with a view to foreclose the option of respondent No.2 of obtaining a stay from the Tribunal. The respondent No.2   had   received   the   order   of   the   Commissioner   of   Income   Tax (Appeals) only on 16 November 2013. Respondent No.2 had 60 days time   to   prefer   appeal   there   from.   However,   the   petitioner   revenue attached the bank account of respondent No.2 on 18 November 2013 itself   i.e.   within   two   days   of   communication   of   the   order   of   the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) by respondent No.2. Further, not only the bank account has been attached on 18 November 1013 but the amounts were forcibly withdrawn on that date itself from the bank Uploaded on - 21/08/2020 Downloaded on - 28/10/2026 04:18:10

ASN 14/16 WP-3174-13 .sxw so as to completely foreclose the remedy available to respondent No.2 under the Act.  Long  years ago in East India Commercial vs. Collector of Customs  AIR 1962(SC) 1893 the Supreme Court had observed that the   law   declared   by   the   High   Court   is   binding   on   all   authorities functioning within the State over which the High Court has jurisdiction. The decision of this Court in  UTI Mutual Funds (supra)  was binding upon the petitioner revenue and the Assessing Officer. 8) Therefore, the above action on the part of the Assessing Officer was against the elementary principles of rule of law. The State is expected to act fairly. The undue haste on the part of the Assessing Officer in recovering  a sum of Rs.159.84 crores was not only  contrary to the binding decisions of this Court but also shocking to  the judicial conscience. The entire action appears to have been  directed to make the Tribunal and respondent No.2   helpless so that no relief   can be granted in favour of respondent No.2. Leaving aside the case laws in favour of respondent No.2, on first principle itself no appellate authority and much less the Tribunal can be a silent spectator to the arbitrary and illegal actions on the part of the Assessing Officer so as to frustrate the legal process provided under the Act. 9) In the aforesaid circumstances, the submissions on behalf of the revenue that the Tribunal having held that it  had no jurisdiction to grant a stay in view of same being a subject matter agitated before this Court was not entitled to direct refund,  is unacceptable. Once the amount of Rs.159.84 crores  being the balance amount of tax payable by respondent No.2 to the petitioner revenue was withdrawn by the revenue there is no occasion for the Tribunal or the High Court to grant Uploaded on - 21/08/2020 Downloaded on - 28/10/2026 04:18:10

ASN 15/16 WP-3174-13 .sxw any stay. Therefore, the impugned order could not have granted any stay as there was nothing to be stayed. However, the grant of refund was in the exercise of Tribunal's inherent powers to ensure that the assessee   is   not   left     high   and   dry   only   on   account   of   illegal   and highhanded   actions   on   the   part   of   the   petitioner   revenue   and   the Assessing Officer. 10) In any event, so far as Writ Petition No.2544 of 2013 filed by respondent No.2 in this Court is concerned, the same was for the purpose of seeking a stay   essentially of   the order of the Assessing Officer   dated 23 July 2013 and of the Commissioner of Income Tax dated 4 September 2013 which had granted a conditional stay of notice of demand issued by the Assessing Officer. These applications before the Assessing Officer and the Commissioner of Income Tax  as well as Writ Petition were all filed before the CIT(A) disposed of the petitioner's appeal. The Act itself does not give any power of granting a stay to the CIT(A) in respect of appeals pending before it from   the orders of Assessing Officer. Consequently,   the assessee has to make application for stay to the Assessing Officer under Section 220(6) of the Act and the Administrative Head viz. Commissioner of Income Tax. However, once the CIT(A) has passed  an order in appeal  then from such an order an appeal  would lie  to the Tribunal. In terms of the proviso to Section 254(2A) of the Act, the Tribunal is empowered to grant stay  against any   demand, pending disposal of appeal before it. Consequently, the writ petition which was filed in this Court by respondent No.2 being Writ Petition No.2544 of 2013 would come to an end when the Tribunal is seized of a stay application filed in pending appeal from the order of Uploaded on - 21/08/2020 Downloaded on - 28/10/2026 04:18:10

ASN 16/16 WP-3174-13 .sxw CIT(A). Moreover, even if the Assessing Officer and the CIT(A) had not granted the stay of the demand, the power of the Tribunal  to consider and grant  application for stay of the demand in an appeal filed before it does not get extinguished or curtailed. Therefore, the emphasis  placed on Paragraph 9 of the impugned order  by the learned Counsel for the revenue   to   our   mind   does   not   in   any   way   bar   the   Tribunal   from restoring the status quo ante   as existing on 18 November 2013 by ordering the refund of Rs.159.84 crores to respondent No.2. 11) The petitioner revenue and the Assessing Officer would do well to  remember that we live in State which is governed by Rule of law. It is primary obligation of the officers of the State that it follows the law laid down by the Courts in letter and spirit before taking  any coercive action. 12) In the above circumstances, we see no reason to interfere with the order passed by the Tribunal directing the revenue to refund the amount of Rs.159.84 crores to respondent No.2 in the exercise of our extra ordinary jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India.  However, since the appeal is fixed for final hearing before the Tribunal today, we leave it open to the Tribunal to pass such other and further orders, as it may deem fit after hearing the parties. Subject to the above clarification, the petition  is dismissed. No order as to costs. CHIEF JUSTICE

(M.S. SANKLECHA, J.) Uploaded on - 21/08/2020 Downloaded on - 28/10/2026 04:18:10 Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

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