M/S. D.C.MILLS PVT.LTD., vs. THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX CIRCLE,

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WP(C)/19662/2023HC KeralaKLHC01042848202324 May 2024Bench: HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN5 pages
AI SummaryRemanded

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court directed the Additional 5th respondent (Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals), National Faceless Assessment Centre) to consider the petitioner's stay petition (Ext.P15) expeditiously. If there was any delay in filing the appeal (Ext.P14), the petitioner was to be informed, and they were to file a condonation of delay application, which would also be considered expeditiously. If the delay was condoned, the stay petition would be heard expeditiously. If there was no delay, the stay petition would be considered expeditiously. The entire process was to be completed within three months from the date of receipt of the judgment. Until then, all recovery steps pursuant to the penalty order and notice were to be deferred. The principle is that statutory remedies should be pursued and decided with reasonable expedition, and recovery can be stayed pending such decision.

What were the facts?

The petitioner, M/s. D.C. Mills Pvt. Ltd., has filed a writ petition challenging a penalty order (Ext.P12) and a notice under Section 156 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (Ext.P13). The petitioner has filed a statutory appeal (Ext.P14) and a stay petition (Ext.P15) before the Additional 5th respondent, the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals), National Faceless Assessment Centre. The petitioner's primary prayer in the writ petition is for expeditious consideration of their appeal. The respondents are various income tax authorities. The assessment years are not specified in the judgment.

What were the issues?

1. Whether the Additional 5th respondent should consider the petitioner's stay petition (Ext.P15) expeditiously, in light of the pending statutory appeal (Ext.P14) against the penalty order (Ext.P12) and notice under Section 156 (Ext.P13)? Assessee's Contention: The petitioner seeks expeditious consideration of their appeal and stay petition. They have filed a statutory appeal and a stay petition and are praying for a direction to the appellate authority to decide these matters promptly. Revenue's Contention: The judgment does not record any specific contentions from the revenue. The revenue was represented by a Standing Counsel, but their arguments are not detailed.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 156

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN FRIDAY, THE 24TH DAY OF MAY 2024 / 3RD JYAISHTA, 1946 WP(C) NO. 19662 OF 2023 PETITIONER: M/S. D.C.MILLS PVT.LTD., REGD. OFFICE BUILDING NO.134/1, VALAVANADU, KALAVUR P. O, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT, REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGER ANILKUMAR. R., PIN – 688 522. BY ADVS. V.S.AFSAL KHAN GEO GEORGE GRIGORY C.K.SAJI RESPONDENTS: 1 THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX CIRCLE, INCOME TAX DEPARTMENT, WARD 1 & TPS, ALAPPUZHA, PIN – 688 501. 2 THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, CIRCLE-1, ALAPPUZHA, PIN – 688 501. 3 THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, NATIONAL FACELESS ASSESSMENT CENTER, INCOME TAX DEPARTMENT, NEW DELHI, PIN – 110 034. 4 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (APPEALS), KOTTAYAM, PIN – 686 001. *ADDL. R5 THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (APPEALS) NATIONAL FACELESS ASSESSMENT CENTRE, INCOME TAX DEPARTMENT, NEW DELHI, PIN – 110 034. SRI. CYRIAC TOM THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 24.05.2024, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:

WP(C).No.19662 OF 2023 2 JUDGMENT Aggrieved by Ext.P12 penalty order and Ext.P13 notice under Section 156 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, the petitioner has preferred Ext.P14 appeal before the additional 5th respondent. The petitioner has also filed Ext.P15 stay petition. 2. When the writ petition came up for further consideration today, the petitioner limits their prayer for consideration of Ext.P14 appeal, expeditiously. 3. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Standing Counsel for the respondents. 4. Since Ext.P14 is a statutory appeal, there will be a direction to the additional 5th respondent to consider Ext.P15 stay petition, as expeditiously as possible. If there is delay in preferring Ext.P14 appeal, the additional 5th respondent shall intimate the petitioner about the same and the petitioner shall

WP(C).No.19662 OF 2023 3 file necessary application for condonation of delay. If such an application for condonation of delay is filed, the same shall be considered, expeditiously and if the delay is liable to be condoned, the stay petition shall be heard, expeditiously. In case there is no delay in filing the appeal, Ext.P15 stay petition shall be considered, expeditiously. In any case, the entire exercise shall be completed within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. Till such time, all recovery steps pursuant to Exts.P12 and P13 shall be deferred. The writ petition is disposed of with the above direction. Sd/- MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN JUDGE SPR

WP(C).No.19662 OF 2023 4 APPENDIX PETITIONER’

S EXHIBITS

:- EXHIBIT P1 TRUE COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF COIR AWARD 2003-2004. EXHIBIT P2 TRUE COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF COIR AWARD 2005-2006. EXHIBIT P3 TRUE COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF COIR AWARD 2007-2008. EXHIBIT P4 TRUE COPY OF THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE COMPANY PREPARED BY K.K.PADMANABHAN PILLAI & COMPANY DATED 17.11.2021. EXHIBIT P5 TRUE COPY OF THE EXTRACT OF POSSESSION NOTICE OF THE STATE BANK OF INDIA ISSUED TO ONE OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY. EXHIBIT P6 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER NO.DMC3-391/2019 DATED 01.10.2020 OF THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, ALAPPUZHA. EXHIBIT P7 TRUE COPY OF THE NOTICE DATED 3.12.2019 ISSUED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT TO THE PETITIONER DATED 03.12.2019. EXHIBIT P8 TRUE COPY OF THE ASSESSMENT ORDER DATED 03.12.2019 ISSUED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT TO THE PETITIONER. EXHIBIT P9 TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 03.12.2019 ISSUED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT TO THE PETITIONER. EXHIBIT P10 TRUE COPY OF THE NOTICE DATED 30.07.2021

ISSUED

THE

1ST RESPONDENT. EXHIBIT P11 TRUE COPY OF THE REPLY DATED 14.08.2021 FILED BY THE COMPANY BEFORE THE 3RD RESPONDENT. EXHIBIT P12 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 24.09.2021 UNDER SECTION 271 (1)(C) OF THE INCOME TAX ACT, 1961 ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT TO THE PETITIONER.

WP(C).No.19662 OF 2023 5 EXHIBIT P13 TRUE COPY OF THE NOTICE DATED 24.09.2021 UNDER SECTION 156 OF THE INCOME TAX ACT, 1961 ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT TO THE PETITIONER EXHIBIT P14 TRUE COPY OF THE APPEAL MEMORANDUM DATED 11.12.2021 FILED BY THE COMPANY BEFORE THE 4TH RESPONDENT. EXHIBIT P15 TRUE COPY OF THE STAY PETITION FILED O 13/07/2023 BY THE PETITIONER BEFORE THE APPELLATE AUTHORITY. RESPONDENTS EXHIBITS: NIL.

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