HITENDRAKUMAR SHAH,VADODARA vs. ITO WARD 4(1)(7) VADODARA, VADODARA

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ITA 2780/AHD/2026Status: DisposedITAT Ahmedabad30 October 2026AY 2020-2126 pages

In favour of the Revenue: the assessee's appeal was dismissed. From the AI summary of this appeal.

AI SummaryDismissed

What did the Tribunal hold?

The Tribunal held that the appeal filed by the assessee before the Ld. CIT(A) was not maintainable. The judgment in Rajesh Jhaveri distinguished between a simple intimation under Section 143(1) and an intimation with adjustments. It was held that no appeal lies against a simple intimation. In the present case, the intimation dated 10.12.2020 was processed without any adjustment. Therefore, the appeal before the Ld. CIT(A) was not a valid appealable order under Section 246 of the Act. The Tribunal also referred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court's decision in CIT vs. Prem Jain Motors (P.) Ltd., which stated that the right of appeal is a creature of statute and cannot be availed if no provision for appeal exists. Since the appeal before the Ld. CIT(A) was not maintainable, the grounds raised by the assessee, and consequently the present appeal before the Tribunal, were dismissed as not maintainable. The Tribunal noted that the issue of maintainability was not deliberated in the judgments relied upon by the assessee, and therefore, even if the assessee's claims on merits were agreed with, relief could not be granted.

What were the facts?

The assessee, Hitendrakumar Shah, filed an appeal against the order of the CIT(A) for Assessment Year 2020-21. The assessee, a former BSNL employee, had received compensation under the BSNL Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) 2019 and leave encashment. The assessee claimed exemption under Section 10(10B) for VRS compensation and full exemption for leave encashment. The original return of income was processed under Section 143(1) without adjustments. Subsequently, the assessee filed an appeal before the CIT(A) after a significant delay, claiming the VRS compensation was fully exempt under Section 10(10B) and the leave encashment was fully exempt under Section 10(10AA) due to a notification enhancing the monetary ceiling. The CIT(A) partly allowed the appeal, holding VRS compensation taxable under Section 10(10C) and allowing limited exemption for leave encashment.

What were the issues?

1. Whether the compensation received by the appellant under the BSNL Voluntary Retirement Scheme, 2019, is eligible for exemption under Section 10(10B) of the Income-tax Act, 1961, as argued by the assessee, or is taxable under Section 10(10C) as held by the Ld. CIT(A)? The assessee contended that the scheme's compensation is in the nature of retrenchment compensation and relied on ITAT decisions in Harish Kumar and Jayesh Tulsidas Sutaria. The revenue relied on the Ld. CIT(A)'s order. 2. Whether the assessee is entitled to full exemption in respect of leave encashment pertaining to the period of service with BSNL under Section 10(10AA) of the Act? The assessee argued for full exemption, citing the judgment in Sanchar Nigam Beneficiaries Welfare Society and Notification No. 31/2023, and decisions like Pravinkumar Ramjibhai Patel. The revenue relied on the Ld. CIT(A)'s order. 3. Whether the appeal filed before the Ld. CIT(A) against the intimation under Section 143(1) without any adjustments was maintainable? The Tribunal raised this issue suo motu.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 10(10B),Section 10(10C),Section 10(10AA),Section 250,Section 143(1),Section 239,Section 139(5),Section 251,Section 254,Section 246

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, AHMEDABAD BENCHES, AHMEDABAD

Before: SHRI NARENDRA PRASAD SINHA & SHRI SANJAY KUMAR

Pronounced: 30.10.2026

PER SANJAY KUMAR, JUDICIAL MEMBER:

- This appeal has been filed by the Assessee against the order dated 31.07.2026 passed by the Ld. office of the Commissioner of Income Tax, Appeal Addl./JCIT (A)-1 Nagpur (hereinafter referred to as ‘Ld. CIT (A)’ in short), under Section 250 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act’ in short) for Assessment Year 2020-21. ITA 2780/AHD/2026 (AY: 2020-21) - 2–

2.

The Assessee has raised following grounds of Appeal:- “1. The Ld. CIT(A) has erred in law and on facts in confirming the denial of exemption under Section 10(10B) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 in respect of compensation received by the Appellant under the BSNL Voluntary Retirement Scheme, 2019, by ignoring the consistent decisions of the Hon’ble ITAT, including the recent jurisdictional decision of the Hon’ble ITAT, Ahmedabad Bench, holding that such compensation is eligible for exemption under Section 10(10B). The Ld. CIT(A) further erred in treating the said compensation as taxable under Section 10(10C) merely on the basis of the nomenclature of the scheme as “Voluntary Retirement Scheme”, without appreciating the true nature, object and circumstances of the BSNL VRS-2019 and the judicial precedents on the identical issue. The impugned order is, therefore, liable to be set aside and the exemption claimed by the Appellant ought to be allowed.

2.

The Ld. CIT(A) has erred in law and on facts in restricting the exemption in respect of leave encashment pertaining to the period of service with BSNL to ₹3,00,000/- and in confirming the taxation of the balance amount, without properly appreciating the beneficial nature of the provisions of Section 10(10AA) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 and the judicial precedents relied upon by the Appellant. The Ld. CIT(A) further erred in not allowing the enhanced exemption available under the applicable provisions and in holding that the benefit of the enhanced exemption was not applicable to the year under consideration. The impugned order is, therefore, liable to be set aside to the extent of the balance leave encashment and the entire amount of leave encashment pertaining to the BSNL service period ought to be allowed as exempt.”

3.

Brief facts of the case are that the appellant is an individual and a former employee of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). In the present case, the Assessee filed return of income for the AY 2020-21 on 31.10.2020 declaring a total income of Rs. 29,47,400/-. As per Form-16/ITR, during the Financial Year 2019-20 relevant to the Assessment Year 2020-21, the assessee received an amount of Rs. 36,74,399/- on account of salary from his employer, i.e., BSNL. For the said AY, the appellant had received the ex-gratia of Rs. 18,42,202 /-, The assessee has claimed total exemption of Rs. 5,00,000/- under section 10(10C) of the Act, in the return of income.

- 3– The remaining amount was declared as taxable income in the original Return of Income. The Assessee offered remainder of leave encashment amount received by him to tax in the return by claiming exemption only to the extent of RS. 3 lakhs u/s 10AA of the Act. The return of income was processed by CPC, Bengaluru, and an intimation under section 143(1) was issued on 10.12.2020, wherein no adjustment was made and no demand was raised neither any refund was issued. 3. 1. The Assessee filed an appeal u/s 250 of the Act before Ld. CIT(A) on 28.04.2026 against intimation u/s 143(1) of the Act after a delay of around 5 years claiming that after the pronouncement of judgment in the case of Harish Kumar vs. ITO, rendered in ITA No. 42/CHD/2025 dated 30.05.2025, he became aware that the compensation received by him is fully exempt under law. Consequently the Assessee filed the appeal claiming for the said ex-gratia payment as fully exempt in the said appeal. The Appellant also claimed the entire leave encashment amount received by him is fully exempt u/s 10AA of the Act as Notification No.31/2023 dated 24.05.2023 enhance the monetary ceiling of exemption of leave encashment payable to non-Government Employees to Rs.25 lakhs.

3.2.

Ld. CIT(A) partly allowed the appeal. As regards ex-gratia received by the applicant, it was held that the BSNL VRS Scheme does not partake of the character of retrenchment compensation u/s 10(10B) of the Act and is properly and correctly governed by the provisions of Section 10(10C) of the Act. As regards the appellant’s claim in respect of leave encashment received at the time of retirement, Ld. CIT(A) held that leave encashment attributable to the period of service rendered under the Central Government prior to absorption in BSNL/MTNL continues to retain the character of leave earned as a government servant and is consequently entitled to full - 4– exemption u/s 10(10AA)(i) of the Act. Furthermore, as regards leave accrued during the period of service rendered in BSNL after absorption, it was held that such leave encashment does not call for exemption as a government servant and is therefore governed by the provisions of Section 10(10AA)(ii) of the Act applicable to non-government employees. Accordingly, exemption to the extent prescribed under the said provision, i.e., Rs. 3,00,000/-, pertaining to the period rendered with BSNL after absorption, was held allowable.

3.3.

Now, the Assessee is in appeal before us.

4.

We have heard Mr. Vipul Gohil, Ld. AR for the Assessee, and Shri Tapan Kumar Chatterjee, Ld. Senior DR for the Revenue.

5.

Mr. Gohil, Ld. AR, has submitted that the issue of BSNL-VRS-2019 compensation exemption is no longer res integra. The Chandigarh Bench of the Tribunal, in the case of Harish kumar (supra), held that compensation received under the BSNL VRS 2019 Scheme is in the nature of retrenchment compensation and is eligible for relief u/s 10(10B) subject to compliance with Rule 2BA. He has submitted that the Ahmedabad Bench of the Tribunal, in the case of Jayesh Tulsidas Sutaria vs. ITO, rendered in ITA Nos. 2387-2388/AHD/2025 dated 18.02.2026, has followed the aforesaid decision of the Chandigarh Bench of the Tribunal in the case of Harish Kumar (supra); thereafter, the decision has been followed in several other cases also. In light of which, he submits that Ground No. 1 is required to be allowed.

5.2.

As regards Ground No. 2, Mr. Gohil, Ld. AR, submits that the Assessee is entitled to full exemption of leave encashment u/s 10(10AA)(i) of the Act - 5– in view of the judgment of the Hon'ble High Court in the case of Sanchar 37A of the CCS (Pension) Rules, constitute a special category and are required to be treated at par with Central Government employees for the purpose of exemption u/s 10(10AA)(i) of the Act.

5.1.

1. Without prejudice, he submits that even assuming that the Assessee is to be treated as a non-Central Government employee, the entire leave encashment is still exempt in terms of CBDT Notification No. 31/2023 dated 24.05.2023. It is submitted that this issue is now covered in favour of the Assessee by several decisions of the Coordinate Bench of this Tribunal in the case of Pravinkumar Ramjibhai Patel vs. ITO, Ward-1 Mehsana dated 07.07.2026 for Assessment Year 2020-21 rendered in ITA No. 1273/Ahd/2026, where full exemption of leave encashment within Rs. 25,00,000/- was granted.

6.

Per contra, Mr. Chatterjee, Ld. Senior DR, relied upon the order of Ld. CIT(A). Additionally, he submits that the relief claimed by the Assessee in the present appeal is in the nature of refund, and Section 239 of the Act mandates every claim of refund ought to be made by furnishing a return in accordance with the provisions of Section 139 of the Act. He contends that as the date of revised return in terms of Section 139(5) has already expired, the Assessee at this stage is not entitled to any claim of refund, which can be claimed only through a valid return.

7.

In rejoinder, Mr. Gohil, Ld. AR, submitted that fresh claims can be made in the appellate proceedings. For this proposition, he relied upon the - 6– judgment of NTPC vs. CIT, reported in (1998) 229 ITR 383 (SC). With the liberty of the Bench, the Assessee filed additional written submissions after the matter was heard on 08.10.2026. The additional written submissions filed on behalf of the Assessee read as under: “Respected Sir,

The Appellant respectfully submits the following additional written submissions pursuant to the hearing conducted on 08.10.2026, during which the Hon'ble Bench raised a query regarding the non-filing of revised returns of income and the possibility of seeking condonation under section 119(2)(b) of the Income-tax Act, 1961. The present submissions are being made to explain the legal position concerning the Appellant's claim for exemption under section 10(10B) in respect of compensation received under the BSNL Voluntary Retirement Scheme, 2019 (BSNL VRS-2019) and exemption of Leave Encashment under section 10(10AA) of Income Tax Act.

1.

Disclosure of Compensation and Leave Encashment in the Original Return and Absence of Suppression of Income.

The Appellant received compensation pursuant to the BSNL VRS-2019 and Leave Encashment. At the time of filing the original return of income, the Appellant disclosed the relevant compensation and Leave Encashment and offered to tax, as recorded in the appellate order. Subsequently, upon becoming aware of the legal position and the decisions concerning the applicability of section 10(10B) to compensation received under BSNL VRS- 2019, the Appellant sought the benefit of exemption under the said provision before the appellate authority.

It is respectfully submitted that the present controversy does not arise from any undisclosed receipt, concealment of income or failure to disclose the transaction. The compensation was disclosed in the return, and the dispute concerns the correct legal characterisation and tax treatment of the disclosed receipt. The Appellant bona fide believed, at the time of filing the return, that the compensation was taxable except to the extent of exemption claimed under section 10(10C). The subsequent claim under section 10(10B) was made upon becoming aware of the legal position and the judicial decisions concerning similar compensation paid under BSNL VRS-2019. ITA 2780/AHD/2026 (AY: 2020-21) - 7– The Appellant accordingly submits that the claim deserves adjudication on its legal and factual merits. The mere fact that the claim was not made in the original return should not, by itself, prevent the Hon'ble Tribunal from examining whether the amount is chargeable to tax or qualifies for exemption under the applicable statutory provision.

2.

Applicability of Section 237 and CBDT Circular No. 14 (XL-35), dated 11.04.1955

Section 237 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 recognises the entitlement to a refund where the amount of tax paid by an assessee exceeds the amount with which the assessee is properly chargeable under the Act. The Appellant relies upon this provision to submit that the tax liability must ultimately be determined in accordance with the correct legal position and that an amount which is not chargeable to tax in law should not be subjected to tax merely because the assessee did not initially claim the applicable exemption.

The Appellant further relies upon CBDT Circular No. 14 (XL-35), dated 11.04.1955, which instructs the Income-tax Department to adopt a fair and helpful approach in dealing with taxpayers and not to take advantage of an assessee's ignorance of the law. The Circular emphasises that the Department should assist taxpayers in obtaining reliefs to which they are legally entitled, even where a taxpayer has not properly claimed such relief due to ignorance or omission.

It is respectfully submitted that the above Circular supports the Appellant's request for consideration of the claim in accordance with law. The Appellant does not contend that the Circular overrides the statutory conditions prescribed under section 10(10B) or the procedural requirements of the Act. Rather, the submission is that, where the relevant receipt is already disclosed and a claim for exemption is raised on the basis of a subsequent understanding of the applicable law and judicial decisions, the claim ought to be examined on its merits instead of being rejected solely on a technical ground.

3.

Power of the Appellate Authorities to Entertain a Legal Claim Not Made in the Original Return

The Hon'ble Supreme Court in Jute Corporation of India Ltd. v. Commissioner of Income-tax (1991) 187 ITR 688 (SC) recognised the powers - 8– of the appellate authority to entertain an additional ground where such consideration is necessary for determining the correct tax liability. The Court held, in substance, that the appellate authority has discretion to permit an additional ground and that such discretion must be exercised judicially in furtherance of the proper determination of the tax liability.

Similarly, in National Thermal Power Co. Ltd. v. Commissioner of Income-tax (1998) 229 ITR 383 (SC), the Hon'ble Supreme Court held that the Tribunal may consider a question of law arising from the facts available on record even if the question was not raised before the lower authorities, where consideration of that question is necessary to determine the correct tax liability. The principle laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court is that the Tribunal's appellate jurisdiction is not confined to the grounds originally raised where a relevant question of law arises from the material already on record.

The Hon'ble Bombay High Court in Commissioner of Income-tax v. Pruthvi Brokers & Shareholders Pvt. Ltd. (2012) 349 ITR 336 (Bom) also recognised that appellate authorities can entertain a legitimate claim which was not made in the return of income. The Court distinguished the restriction applicable to the Assessing Officer, as considered in Goetze (India) Ltd. v. Commissioner of Income-tax (2006) 284 ITR 323 (SC), from the powers of appellate authorities.

In Goetze (India) Ltd. (supra), the Hon'ble Supreme Court expressly clarified that its decision concerning the Assessing Officer's inability to entertain a fresh claim otherwise than through a revised return did not impinge upon the powers of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal under section 254 of the Act. Accordingly, the said decision cannot be read as laying down an absolute prohibition against consideration of a legitimate additional legal claim by the appellate Tribunal.

In the present case, the Appellant's claim concerns the legal characterisation and exemption of compensation which was disclosed in the original return. The relevant transaction and receipt are not being introduced for the first time before the Tribunal. The Appellant therefore respectfully submits that the Hon'ble Tribunal may examine the applicability of section 10(10B) in the light of the facts on record and the governing judicial precedents, subject to verification of the statutory conditions.

- 9–

4.

Jayeshkumar Tulsidas Sutaria &. ITO Decision of the Ahmedabad Tribunal Directly Relevant

The Appellant respectfully places reliance upon Jayeshkumar Tulsidas Sutaria v. Income-tax Officer, ITA Nos. 2387 and 2388/Ahd/2025, Assessment Years 2020-21 and 2021-22, order dated 17.02.2026, passed by the Hon'ble Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Ahmedabad SMC Bench.

In paragraph 4 of the said order, the Tribunal recorded the objection taken by the Ld. CIT(A), who had declined to entertain the claim for exemption under section 10(10B) on the ground that the claim had not been made in the original or revised return and that the assessee could have sought condonation from the jurisdictional Principal Commissioner of Income-tax under section 119(2)(b). The claim was consequently rejected at the appellate stage.

In paragraph 6, the Tribunal considered the assessee's explanation that the compensation received under BSNL VRS-2019 had initially been offered to tax because the assessee was unaware of the legal position and subsequently became aware of the decisions concerning the exemption under section 10(10B), including Harish Kumar v. ITO, ITA No. 42/CHD/2025, order dated 30.05.2025. The Tribunal considered the claim in the appellate proceedings notwithstanding the fact that the exemption had not been claimed in the original or revised return. In paragraph 7, the Tribunal allowed both appeals. The said decision is directly relevant because it concerns compensation under BSNL VRS-2019, the claim of exemption under section 10(10B), and the objection that the claim was not made in the original or revised return and should instead have been pursued through section 119(2)(b). The factual and legal similarity makes the decision particularly material to the present appeals.

The Appellant respectfully submits that the Hon'ble Tribunal may follow the above decision while considering the present claim.

5.

Oracle Financial Services Software Ltd. Section 119(2)(b) Does Not Automatically Extinguish Appellate Jurisdiction

The Appellant also relies upon the decision of the Hon'ble Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Mumbai Bench, in Oracle Financial Services Software Limited, ITA Nos. 4795, 4796 and 3430/Mum/2019 and ITA Nos. 5378, 5376 and 3997/Mum/2019, particularly paragraphs 14 to 14.12 of the order.

- 10–

In paragraph 14, the Tribunal considered the Department's objection that a claim not made in the original or revised return could not be entertained at the appellate stage and that the assessee's only remedy was to seek condonation under section 119(2)(b). In paragraphs 14.1 and 14.2, the Tribunal discussed the scope of Goetze (India) Ltd. (supra), Jute Corporation of India Ltd. (supra), NTPC Ltd. (supra) and Pruthvi Brokers & Shareholders Pvt. Ltd. (supra), and recognised the distinction between the powers of the Assessing Officer and those of appellate authorities.

The Tribunal's reasoning, particularly in paragraphs 14.4 to 14.6, supports the proposition that the existence of a remedy under section 119(2)(b) does not, by itself, establish that the appellate jurisdiction under section 254 is unavailable in every case involving a claim not made in the return. The power under section 119(2)(b) enables the competent authority to consider condonation in cases of genuine hardship in accordance with the applicable statutory framework and CBDT instructions. The existence of that remedy must be considered alongside, and not automatically as a substitute for, the independent powers of appellate authorities recognised by judicial precedents

The Appellant acknowledges that Oracle Financial Services Software Limited arose in a different factual context and concerned a different substantive claim. It is relied upon only for the procedural principle concerning the jurisdiction of appellate authorities and the relationship between sections 119(2)(b) and 254. The substantive entitlement of the present Appellant must be determined separately under section 10(10B) on the facts and documents relevant to BSNL VRS-2019. The Appellant accordingly submits that the claim should not be rejected solely on the ground that an application under section 119(2)(b) was not filed, without first considering the scope of the Hon'ble Tribunal's appellate powers and the directly relevant decision in Jayeshkumar Tulsidas Sutaria (supra).

6.

Substantive Eligibility under Section 10(10B) and the Decision in Harish Kumar v. ITO

Without prejudice to the above procedural submissions, the Appellant submits that the substantive claim for exemption must be considered under section 10(10B) of the Income-tax Act, 1961. The said provision concerns compensation received by a workman under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, or under any other applicable law, rules, orders or notifications, subject to - 11– the statutory conditions and prescribed limits. The applicability of the provision depends upon the legal character of the payment, the governing scheme, the circumstances in which the payment was made, and compliance with the relevant statutory requirements.

The Appellant relies upon Harish Kumar v. Income-tax Officer, ITA No. 42/CHD/2025, order dated 30.05.2025, passed by the Hon'ble Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chandigarh Bench, which has been cited in the compilation of decisions concerning compensation paid under BSNL VRS- 2019. As reflected in the compilation, the Tribunal considered the nature of compensation under the scheme and its eligibility for exemption under section 10(10B), subject to satisfaction of the applicable conditions. The Appellant requests that the ratio of the said decision be considered in conjunction with the terms of the BSNL VRS-2019 scheme and the documents placed on record in the present appeals.

The Appellant also relies upon the decision in Shraddha Pralhad Arote & Others v. Income-tax Officer, ITA Nos. 262-301/PUN/2026, order dated 24.03.2026, passed by the Hon'ble Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Pune Bench, as referred to in the compilation of decisions. The said decision is relied upon to the extent that it addresses the nature and treatment of compensation under the BSNL VRS-2019 scheme and the applicability of section 10(10B). The Appellant respectfully requests that the relevant reasoning of these decisions be examined against the facts and governing scheme applicable to the Appellant.

7.

Whether Filing an Application under Section 119(2)(b) Was the Only Remedy

During the hearing, the Hon'ble Bench raised a query as to why the Appellant did not file a revised return or seek condonation under section 119(2)(b). In this regard, the Appellant respectfully submits that the time limit prescribed under section 139(5) had expired by the time the legal position concerning the claim was understood and the appellate proceedings were pursued. The Appellant does not dispute the statutory time limit for filing a revised return. The limited submission is that expiry of that time limit does not, by itself, answer the separate question whether a legitimate claim can be entertained by an appellate authority under its appellate jurisdiction

Section 119(2)(b) provides a mechanism for the competent authority to consider an application for condonation in cases of genuine hardship in - 12– accordance with the statutory framework and applicable CBDT instructions. However, as recognised in Jute Corporation of India Ltd. (supra), NTPC Ltd. (supra), Pruthvi Brokers & Shareholders Pvt. Ltd. (supra), and the relevant discussion in Oracle Financial Services Software Limited (supra), the powers of appellate authorities must be considered independently. The existence of an alternative statutory mechanism does not, without further examination, establish that the Tribunal lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate a legal claim arising from facts on record.

The Appellant respectfully submits that the present claim is not based upon a new or undisclosed transaction. The compensation was disclosed in the return, and the claim concerns the applicability of the exemption provision to that disclosed receipt. In these circumstances, the Appellant requests that the Hon'ble Tribunal exercise its appellate jurisdiction to determine the correct tax liability in accordance with law.

8.

Request for Consistent Application of the Relevant Judicial Precedents

The Appellant respectfully submits that the decision of the Ahmedabad Bench in Jayeshkumar Tulsidas Sutaria (supra) is of particular significance because it dealt with the claim of exemption under section 10(10B) in relation to BSNL VRS-2019 and the objection concerning the absence of a claim in the original or revised return. The Appellant requests that the said decision be considered along with the decisions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Jute Corporation of India Ltd. (supra) and NTPC Ltd. (supra), and the decision of the Hon'ble Bombay High Court in Pruthvi Brokers & Shareholders Pvt. Ltd. (supra).

The Appellant is conscious that the entitlement to exemption under section 10(10B) depends upon the statutory conditions and the relevant facts of the case. The Appellant is not seeking exemption merely on the basis of a procedural argument. The request is that the claim be adjudicated on merits after considering the applicable scheme, supporting documents and the relevant judicial precedents, and that the procedural objection regarding non- filing of a revised return or an application under section 119(2)(b) not be treated as an automatic bar to appellate adjudication.

In view of the directly relevant decision of the Ahmedabad Bench and the principles laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court concerning the powers of appellate authorities, the Appellant respectfully submits - 13– that the issue should be decided in accordance with the applicable statutory provisions and binding judicial principles. The Appellant requests that the claim be considered on its merits rather than rejected solely on a technical ground, and that the decision be rendered after examining the legal position and the evidence relevant to the compensation received under BSNL VRS- 2019. 9. Consistency with Earlier Decisions of the Hon'blé Ahmedabad Bench and Alternative Prayer for Reference to a Special Bench under Section 255(3) of the Income-tax Act, 1961

The Appellant respectfully submits that the issue under consideration is covered by several favourable decisions of the Hon'ble Ahmedabad Bench of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, including Jayeshkumar Tulsidas Sutaria v. ITO, ITA Nos. 2387 and 2388/Ahd/2025, order dated 17.02.2026, concerning the claim of exemption under section 10(10B) of the Income-tax Act, 1961, in respect of compensation received under BSNL VRS-2019. The Appellant humbly requests that the aforesaid decisions and other relevant decisions relied upon in the paper book be followed in the interest of judicial consistency and certainty, particularly where the facts and legal issues are materially similar. Without prejudice, if the Hon'ble Bench is inclined to take a view contrary to the aforesaid decisions, the Appellant respectfully prays that the reasons for such departure may kindly be considered in the light of the principles of judicial discipline. Further, if the Hon'ble Bench finds that a genuine conflict between decisions of coordinate Benches or any other legally sufficient circumstance warrants such a course, the Appellant respectfully requests that the matter may be considered for reference to a Special Bench in accordance with section 255(3) of the Income-tax Act, 1961. This alternative request is made solely to ensure uniformity in the interpretation of the law and consistent adjudication of the issue, without prejudice to the Appellant's primary contention that the claim deserves to be decided in accordance with the favourable judicial precedents applicable to the facts of the present case.

The Appellant craves leave to make further submissions and produce such additional documents as may be considered necessary for the proper adjudication of the appeals.”

8.

We have given our thoughtful consideration and perused the material available on the record. The principal judgment, through which the Tribunal held that the compensation received under the BSNL VRS-2019 Scheme, is - 14– in the nature of retrenchment compensation, and is eligible for exemption u/s 10(10B) subject to compliance of Rule 2BA, is the judgment of Chandigarh Bench of this Tribunal in the case of Harish Kumar (supra). Relevant part of the said judgment is reproduced as under:

“2. The Assessee has taken the following effective grounds of appeal :-

That the CIT(A) has wrongly allowed exemption u/s 10(10B) on account of compensation under scheme approved by Central Government amounting to Rs. 5,00,000/- in place of Rs. 30,17,000/".

3.

The brief facts of the case that the Assessee was an employee of the Department of Telecommunication Services and Department of Telecom Operations (DOT). The department had been transformed in BSNL w.e.f. 01/10/2000. The assessee had opted BSNL Retirement Scheme 2019 (Voluntary Retirement Scheme) and he received total emoluments of Rs. 30,17,000/-. The Assessee had claimed exemption of Rs.30,17,000/- u/s 10(10B) of the Act in its ITR. However, the Assessing Officer disallowed Rs. 25,17,000/- out of total emoluments of Rs. 30,17,000/- and added back to the income of the Assessee as the scheme was on voluntary basis not compulsory as per 2nd proviso of Section 10(10B) of the Act. The Assessee has claimed that the Assessing Officer has wrongly added amount of Rs. 25,17,000/- on account of disallowing of compensation under BSNL Retirement Scheme 2019. Further, the Assessing Officer has wrongly allowed exemption u/s 10(10B) of the Act on account of compensation under scheme approved by Central Government to the extent of Rs. 5,00,000/- only in place of Rs. 30.17.000/-, Since as per the A.O., the scheme was on voluntary basis and not compulsory therefore, he restricted as per 2nd proviso of section exemption upto Rs. 5,00,000/-10(10B) of the Act. Aggrieved from the above order, the assessee preferred appeal before the CIT(A), how remained unsuccessful.

4.

I have heard the rival contentions and gone through record. The Ld. counsel for the assessee has demonstrated before me that though, in the nomenclature, the scheme has been mentioned as VRS (Voluntary Retirement Scheme), however, in fact the same was retrenchment scheme. The Assessee was an employee of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). The BSNL had incurred losses during the three consecutive years. The salaries of the employees were not paid. The Assessee and other employees were over the age of 50 years and were not conversant with the new technology adopted by the BSNL. The BSNL, therefore, launched Voluntary Retirement Scheme to - 15– shed the extra employees. The Ld. counsel in this respect has referred to the revival scheme of the Department of Telecommunications dated 29.12.2019, whereby, the purposes of the scheme was revival of BSNL and MTNL by way of reducing employees cost. Inter-alia, The compensation/exgratia on VRS was to be paid in two installments of 50% each during the financial years 1920-21 and 2020-21. 5. In this case, the Assessee received first installment of on VRS during the financial year 2019-20 compensation/exgratia upon which the claim exemption u/s 10(10B) of the Act to the Assessee has been allowed by the Ld. CIT(A)in the appellate order in relation to the assessment year 2020-21. The relevant part of the order of Ld. CIT(A) is reproduced as under :-4

The appellant was employee of Department of Telecom Services. The Government of India in its Cabinet meeting dated 23.10.2019 approved the proposals of DOT for revival of BSNL and MTNL vide its Cabinet Note dated 22.10.2019. In its Circular Dated 04.11.2019 the BSNL envisaged a Scheme for effective implementation of VRS and invitged options from employees under the scheme for seeking voluntary retirement. Reliance is also placed by the appellant upon the decision of Hon'ble Madras High Court in the case of M/S Hindustan Photo Film Workers Welfare Centre WP No. 18566 of 2015 dated 17.03.2017. Facts of this case is identical to the case of HTML-TD. Both the entitles were closed in similar situation. Therefore, the provisions of section 10(10B) of the Act are clearly attracted in the case of the appellant. 3.10 Further, the decision dated 20.09.2023 of Jurisdictional Hon'ble'ble ITAT Chandigarh A" Bench was also perused wherein several appeals of employees of HTML-TD were taken up. The Hon'ble ITAT opined in para 48 that the matter had been examined by the Hon'ble Madras High Court and thereafter has attained finality in view of dismissal of the SLP by Hon'ble Supreme Court and also added that "such matters need not be litigated any further". 3.11 Respectfully following the decision of the Jurisdictional Hon'ble ITART and for the reasons mentioned above, the A.O. is directed to allow compensation received by the appellant at the time of VRS as exempt income u/s 10(10B) of the Act. Accordingly, Ground No.1 stands Allowed."

7.

Copy of ITAT order has been submitted, this decision dated 20.09.2023 Hon'ble ITAT Chandigarh Bench was perused wherein several appeals of employees of HTML TD were taken up. The Hon'ble - 16– ITAT opined in Para 48 that the matter had been examined by the Hon'ble Madras High Couirt and thereafter has attained finality in view of dismissal of the SLP y Hon'ble Supreme Court and also added that "such matters need not be litigated any further" 6

8.

Respectfully following the decision of the Jurisdictional Hon'ble ITAT, the A.O is directed to allow the Act. compensation received by the appellant at the time of VRS as exempt income u/s 10(10B) of Accordingly, the only one ground raised by the appellant in this appeal is allowed."

6.

However, in respect of the 2nd installment of compensation/exemption on VRS the claim of the assessee has been disallowed, which in my view is not justified. When the claim of the Assessee relating to the first installment has been accepted by the Ld. CIT(A). There was no question to reject the claim of the Assessee in relation to second installment of compensation received by the Assessee. Moreover, Ld. counsel for the Assessee had duly demonstrated that the Assessee had not been paid salary for the last so many months and there was no option to the assessee than to accept the VRS scheme which, in fact, was retrenchment scheme in the garb of the VRS scheme. The amount received by the Assessee was, in fact, the compensation on account of retrenchment.

7.

Faced with some what similar facts and circumstances, the co-ordinate Bench of the Tribunal in the cse of" Sh. Sarabjit Singh vs Income Tax Officer ITGA No. 764/Chd/2018, vide order dated 06.04.2019 has held as under :- "We have considered the rival submissions and have also gone through the record. The issue is squarely covered by the decision of the Co-ordinate Chandigarh Bench of the Tribunal the Case of other employees in similar facts and circumstances vide order dated 11.3.2019 passed in ITA No.870/Chd/2018 & Others titled as 'Sh.Rajeshwar Sharma & Others Vs. ITO'. This Tribunal observed as under:

Though in strict terms, it may not be said that the amount received by the assessee was on account of commutation of pension, however, the fact on the file is that the aforesaid amount was given by the new employer who has taken over the company from the earlier employer and he had terminated the services of the employees on account of job retrenchment. The - 17– amount was paid as a Compensation for retrenchment of services taking into consideration the length of service, basic salary, the age and other factors. In our view, the said amount is a compensation paid by the employer while terminating the services of the employee on account of 1oss of job and further subsistence, thus, the said a mount was just a capital receipt in the hands of the assessee. In fact, no part of amount received by the assessee is taxable. We, therefore, allow the appeal of the assessee and delete the disallowance and consequent additions made by the Assessing officer in this respect. We further hold that the assessee is entitled to claim refund/adjustment of the tax paid in respect of the aforesaid compensation received, if so, claimed by the assessee. Following the above decision of the Tribunal in the identical facts and circumstances, this appeal of the appellant stands allowed with identical directions. "

8.

In view of the above discussion and following the above decision of the Tribunal, the impugned disallowance made by the loawer authorities is ordered to be deleted.”

9.

This judgment was followed by several decisions of different Benches of the Tribunal, including this Bench.

10.

The second issue concerning leave encashment is covered by the decision of this Bench vide order dated 13.08.2026 in the case of Ajitha Chandramohan Nair vs. ITO, rendered in ITA Nos. 749 & 750/AHD/2026. Relevant part of the said judgment is reproduced as under:

“10. Ground No. 5 (raised by the Assessee as additional ground) relates to exemption claimed by the Assessee in respect of Leave Encashment under Section 10(10AA) of the Act. The Assessee has contended that the Assessee should be granted exemption under Section 10(10AA) of the Act as the Assessee continues to be governed by the CCS (Pension Rules), 1972. On perusal of the judgment of the Hon'ble Kerala High Court in the case of Sanchar Nigam Pensioners' Welfare Association Vs. Union of India (WP(C) No.16360 of 2023 we find that Hon'ble High Court has held that Department of Telcom (DoT) employees absorbed in BSNL, whose pension continues to be - 18– governed under Rule 37A of the CSS (Pension) Rules, constituted a special category and are required to be treated at par with Central Government employees for the purpose of exemption under Section 10(10AA) (i) of the Act. Accordingly, we direct the Assessing Officer to grant benefit of exemption under Section 10(10AA) of the Act to the Assessee after verifying that the Assessee was an employee of DoT absorbed by BSNL. The Assessee is directed to place before the Assessing Officer the relevant details/documents and revised computation of income claiming exemption under Section 10(10AA) of the Act of the Act for the same.

11.

As regards, the alternative legal contention of the Assessee regarding the applicability of Notification No. 31 of 2023, dated 24/05/2023, issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes is concerned, does not require consideration in view of the above directions.”

11.

We are in respectful agreement with the aforesaid orders of the Tribunal on the merits of the issues covered in Ground No. 1 as well as in Ground No. 2 raised in the present appeal.

12.

This brings us to the additional submission raised by Ld. Senior DR, Mr. Chatterjee, to the effect that the relief sought by the Assessee, being in the nature of refund, can only be made by furnishing the return in accordance with the provisions of Section 139 of the Act, in terms of Section 239 of the Act.

13.

We find that the Assessee filed return of income for the AY 2020-21 on 31.10.2020 declaring a total income of Rs. 29,47,400/-. As per Form- 16/ITR, during the Financial Year 2019-20 relevant to the Assessment Year 2020-21, the assessee received an amount of Rs. 36,74,399/- on account of salary from his employer, i.e., BSNL. For the said AY, the appellant had received the ex-gratia of Rs. 18,42,202 /-. The assessee has claimed total exemption of Rs. 5,00,000/- under section 10(10C) of the Act, in the return of income. The remaining amount was declared as taxable income in the - 19– original Return of Income. The Assessee offered remainder of leave encashment amount received by him to tax in the return by claiming exemption only to the extent of Rs. 3 lakhs u/s 10AA of the Act. The return of income was processed by CPC, Bengaluru, and an intimation under section 143(1) was issued on 10.12.2020, wherein no demand was raised and no refund was issued. No adjustment was made and the return of income filed by the Assessee, which was accepted as it is, in the intimation u/s 143(1) of the Act dated 10.12.2020. The Assessee raised its claims for the first time before Ld. CIT(A). In light of this, we are of the considered opinion that what is to be decided is whether any such claim can be made, which apparently is in violation of the express mandate of Section 239 of the Act, invoking the appellate mechanism under the income tax laws. The Ld. AR for the appellant, relying upon various precedents, has claimed that Ld. CIT(A) has coterminous powers as that of the AO in terms of Section 251 of the Act in the appellate proceedings. Similarly, he has submitted that u/s 254 of the Act, the Appellate Tribunal has plenary powers to adjudicate any issue, and the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of NTPC vs. CIT, reported in 229 ITR 383 (SC), has held that questions of law arising from the facts which are on record can be raised for the first time even before the Appellate Tribunal. We are conscious of the judgments on the powers of appellate authorities, viz. CIT(A) as well as that of the Appellate Tribunal, but the moot question in the present case is whether the appellate mechanism can be triggered by the Assessee, in whose case, the return filed u/s 139 of the Act has been accepted as it is, in the intimation u/s 143(1) of the Act without making any adjustment in the return. Section 246 of the Act enumerates appealable orders before JCIT (Appeals). Section 246 of the Act reads as under: “Appealable orders before Joint Commissioner (Appeals).

- 20–

246.

(1) Any assessee aggrieved by any of the following orders of an Assessing Officer (below the rank of Joint Commissioner) may appeal to the Joint Commissioner (Appeals) against—

(a) an order being an intimation under sub-section (1) of section 143, where the assessee objects to the making of adjustments, or any order of assessment under sub-section (3) of section 143 or section 144, where the assessee objects to the amount of income assessed, or to the amount of tax determined, or to the amount of loss computed, or to the status under which he is assessed; (b) an order of assessment, reassessment or recomputation under section 147; (c)an order being an intimation under sub-section (1) of section 200A; (d) an order under section 201; (e) an order being an intimation under sub-section (6A) of section 206C; (f) an order under sub-section (1) of section 206CB; (g) an order imposing a penalty under Chapter XXI; and (h) an order under section 154 or section 155 amending any of the orders mentioned in clauses (a) to (g):

Provided that no appeal shall be filed before the Joint Commissioner (Appeals) if an order referred to in this sub-section is passed by or with the prior approval of, an income-tax authority above the rank of Deputy Commissioner.” Emphasis supplied

14.

A bare perusal of the aforesaid provision would reveal that only the intimation u/s 143(1) of the Act, where the Assessee objects to the making of an adjustment, is an appealable order in terms of Section 246(1)(a) of the Act. Section 143(1)(a) of the Act reads as under:

“Assessment 143. [(1) Where a return has been made under section 139, or in response to a notice under sub-section (1) of section 142, such return shall be processed in the following manner, namely:—

(a) the total income or loss shall be computed after making the following adjustments, namely:— (i) any arithmetical error in the return;

- 21– (ii) an incorrect claim, if such incorrect claim is apparent from any information in the return; (iii) disallowance of loss claimed, if return of the previous year for which set off of loss is claimed was furnished beyond the due date specified under sub-section (1) of section 139; (iv) disallowance of expenditure indicated in the audit report but not taken into account in computing the total income in the return; (v) disallowance of deduction claimed under sections 10AA, 80-IA, 80-IAB, 80-IB, 80-IC, 80-ID or section 80-IE, if the return is furnished beyond the due date specified under sub-section (1) of section 139; or (vi) addition of income appearing in Form 26AS or Form 16A or Form 16 which has not been included in computing the total income in the return:

Provided that no such adjustments shall be made unless an intimation is given to the assessee of such adjustments either in writing or in electronic mode: Provided further that the response received from the assessee, if any, shall be considered before making any adjustment, and in a case where no response is received within thirty days of the issue of such intimation, such adjustments shall be made: Provided also that no adjustment shall be made under sub- clause (vi) in relation to a return furnished for the assessment year commencing on or after the 1st day of April, 2018;”

15.

The scope of Section 143(1) of the Act was considered by the Hon'ble Karnataka High Court in the case of Shri Mukesh Bansal vs. PCIT, rendered in [2026] 190 taxmann.com 753 [Karnataka]. The relevant portion of the judgment of the Hon'ble High Court is reproduced herein below:

“40. The term 'order' would refer to the reflection of a conclusion in an adjudicatory process. Such would be the meaning to be assigned for the purpose of construing whether the order could be tested by an adjudicatory hierarchy of grievance redressal. Such creation of a grievance redressal process must be by a conscious legislative mandate. Where the scheme of Section 143(1) itself would indicate that an intimation is issued after a minimal inquiry, many a time based only on records before the Authority, - 22– there cannot be imputed the process of an adjudicatory exercise preceding such intimation.

41.

No doubt, Sri Arvind Kamath, learned Additional Solicitor General appearing on behalf of the Revenue has contended that the structure of Section 143 has undergone a change with the insertion of Proviso to Section 143(1) which provides that where adjustments are sought to be made as enumerated under Section 143(1)(a)(i) to 143(1)(a)(vi), there must be an intimation given to the Assessee of such adjustment either in writing or in electronic mode with a further stipulation that the Authority is to look into the response received from the Assessee before resorting to such adjustment.

42.

Though the insertion of Proviso by way of amendment vide Finance Act, 2016 has enlarged the scope of the process of adjustment with notice to the Assessee, but then the question that still begs to be answered is whether an intimation under Section 143(1) sans adjustment would still partake the character of an order.

43.

It is necessary to notice that in terms of Section 246 which provides for appealable orders makes intimation under Section 143(1) where the Assessee objects to making of adjustment is treated to be an order. This perhaps reflects a situation where an intimation under Section 143(1) without adjustment would remain an intimation, while an intimation under Section 143(1) after adjustments as envisaged under the Proviso would be treated to be an order. The corollary would be that, only an intimation under Section 143(1) after adjustment would be treated to be an order under Section 246 and 246A of the I.T. Act. The right of an Assessee is preserved, where adjustment is made under Section 143(1) permitting him to challenge the intimation by resorting to a grievance mechanism of appeal under Section 246 and 246A of the I.T. Act.

44.

Except for an intimation under Section 143(1) with adjustments, the intimation under Section 143(1) cannot be treated to be an order for the purpose of Section 246 and 246A of the I.T. Act. Further, there would be a possibility for the Revenue also to exercise power under Section 263 as against such intimation after adjustment which would be an order, if the adjustment is prejudicial to the interests of the Revenue. Such a circumstance may arise, if the adjustment could have been to a greater extent thereby furthering the interests of the Revenue.

- 23–

45.

If that were to be so, as regards other intimations under Section 143(1), the earlier position of law as laid down in Rajesh Jhaveri (supra) would remain and would not call for a re-look.”

16.

Evidently, the Hon'ble Court made a distinction between intimation simpliciter u/s 143(1) of the Act and an intimation order with adjustments u/s 143(1), and held that no appeal can lie against intimation simpliciter, while in the case of an intimation order making adjustments, the appeal would lie before JCIT(A). Therefore, in the facts of the present case, there being no adjustment, the intimation dated 10.12.2020 would not qualify to be an appealable order u/s 246 of the Act.

16.

We would also like to refer to the judgment of the Hon'ble Punjab and Haryana High Court in the case of CIT vs. Prem Jain Motors (P.) Ltd., reported in 130 ITR 842; the relevant part of the judgment is reproduced as under:

“… Section 246 of the Act makes provision as regards appeals to the AAC. The orders passed under various sections mentioned therein have been held to be appealable, but an order regarding interest passed under section 215 of the Act does not find mention in the said section. It cannot, therefore, be disputed that the Legislature in its wisdom did not make any provision for filing an appeal against the order passed under section 215(1) of the Act. There is a reason for this. As would be obvious from the provisions of sub-section (2) of section 215 of the Act, the Legislature in its wisdom, while enacting the said sub-section, gave a mandate that where as a result of an order under section 154 or section 155 or section 250 or section 254 or section 260 or section 262 or section 264, the amount on which the interest was payable under this section has been reduced, the interest shall be reduced accordingly and the excess interest paid, if any, shall be refunded. It would thus be seen that in view of this mandate of the Legislature, it would not be necessary for any assessee to file any appeal with a view to claim the relief regarding interest paid under sub-section (1) of section 215 of the Act. In all cases covered by sub-section (3) of section 215 of the Act and, of course, the first appeal to the - 24– AAC and second appeal to the Tribunal being covered by this sub-section, even if the appellate order does not mention the, re-payment of the excess interest to the assessee, the ITO is bound to return the excess interest to the assessee in view of the mandate given in sub-section (3) of section 215 of the Act. This mandate having been given by the Legislature, it became unnecessary to make any provision for appeal as regards the re-payment of interest in this regard. In this background, it would be seen that the AAC, instead of holding that the assessee will be entitled to the return of the interest in view of the provisions of sub-section (3) of section 215 of the Act, unnecessarily recorded a finding that the appeal was not competent. This finding misled the Tribunal and the Tribunal came to the conclusion that the appeal was maintainable, which in our view is not, as it is a well-established principle of law that the right of appeal is a creature of the statute. If there is no provision for appeal made in the statute, the said right cannot be availed of. As already pointed out, no appeal has been provided against an order passed under section 215(1), under section 246 of the Act...”

17.

In the aforesaid case, the Hon'ble Court categorically held that the right to appeal is a creature of statute, and if there is no provision for appeal made in the statute, the said right cannot be availed of.

18.

In view of the foregoing discussions, it is evident that in the facts of the present case, where intimation u/s 143(1) of the Act was passed without making any adjustment, the remedy of appeal was not available to the Assessee. That being the case, we hold that the appeal preferred by the Assessee before Ld. CIT(A) was not maintainable in view of the provisions of Section 246 of the Act. The entire argument on the co-terminus powers of Ld. CIT(A) u/s 251 of the Act as also the powers of the Appellate Tribunal u/s 254 of the Act will have no relevance in the facts of the present case, where the appeal preferred by the Assessee itself was not maintainable and, therefore the appellate powers of the Appellate Authorities were also not available. Hence, the grounds raised by the Assessee, and consequently - 25– the present appeal filed by the Assessee, is required to be dismissed as not maintainable.

19.

The aspect of the appeal, being not maintainable, was not deliberated in any of the judgments relied upon by the Assessee in support of its claim. In view thereof, even though we agree with the decisions relied upon by the appellant-Assessee on the merits of the claim, the relief claimed could not be granted to the Assessee.

20.

In the result, the appeal filed by the Assessee is dismissed.

The order pronounced on 30.10.2026. (NARENDRA PRASAD SINHA) JUDICIAL MEMBER Ahmedabad; Dated 30.10.2026 DS, PS - 26–

आदेश की "ितिलिप अ"ेिषत / Copy of the Order forwarded to : 1. अपीलाथ"/ The Appellant

2.

""थ"/ The Respondent. 3. संबंिधतआयकरआयु"/ Concerned CIT आयकरआयु"(अपील) /The CIT(A)- 4. 5. िवभागीय"ितिनिध, आयकरअपीलीयअिधकरण, अहमदाबाद/ DR, ITAT, Ahmedabad गाड"फाईल /Guard file. 6. आदेशानुसार/ BY ORDER, DEVENDRABHAI UPADHYAY DN: c=IN, o=PERSONAL, JEETENDRA title=6087,2.5.4.20=7e5568a89b633f174b 28a80f5e63c638da40b7313fb4 सहायकपंजीकार (Dy./Asstt.

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