SMT.DEVYANIDILIP PATEL vs. THE INCOME TAX OFFICER
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court decided not to adjudicate the substantial questions of law due to subsequent developments. The enactment of the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Act, 2020, provided a mechanism for resolving disputed tax. The Court was informed that the assessee had already been issued Form-3 under this Act, indicating they had opted for the scheme. Consequently, the Court found no useful purpose in keeping the appeal pending. The Tax Case Appeal was dismissed on the ground that the assessee had availed the benefit under the Vivad Se Vishwas Act. The Court granted liberty to the assessee to restore the appeal if the ultimate decision under the Act was not in their favour. The substantial questions of law were left open. The operative direction was to dismiss the appeal with liberty to restore and to process the applications under the Vivad Se Vishwas Act at the earliest.
What were the facts?
The assessee, Devyani Dilip Patel, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Madras "A" Bench, dated 21.05.2019, for Assessment Year 2011-12. The Revenue was represented by the Income Tax Officer, Non-Corporate Ward 3(2), Chennai. The appeal was admitted on substantial questions of law. During the pendency of the appeal, the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Act, 2020, was enacted. The assessee informed the High Court that they had availed the benefit under this Act and were issued Form-3.
What were the issues?
1. Whether in the facts and circumstances of the case, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was justified in dismissing the appeal when the directions of the Tribunal in its earlier order have not been followed? (Question of law/mixed law and fact, concerning procedural compliance with Tribunal's directions). 2. Whether in the facts and circumstances of the case, Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was justified in dismissing the matter when the sole basis of the assessment is the uncorroborated statement of the President of the Society? (Question of law/mixed law and fact, concerning the evidentiary value of an uncorroborated statement). 3. Whether in the facts and circumstances of the case, Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was justified in ignoring the observations of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals)? (Question of law/mixed law and fact, concerning the weight given to the CIT(A)'s findings). Assessee's Contentions: The assessee argued that the ITAT's earlier directions were not followed, the assessment was based solely on an uncorroborated statement, and the CIT(A)'s observations were ignored. The assessee also stated they had availed the benefit under the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Act, 2020. Revenue's Contentions: The judgment does not record specific contentions from the Revenue regarding the substantial questions of law.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Tax Case No.1059 of 2019 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 21.04.2021 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE M. DURAISWAMY AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY Tax Case Appeal No.1059 of 2019 Devyani Dilip Patel ... Appellant Vs.
The Income Tax Officer, Non-Corporate Ward 3(2), Chennai – 34.
... Respondent
Tax Case Appeal filed under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras "A" Bench, dated 21.05.2019 passed in I.T.A.No.3198/Mds/2017. For Appellant : Mr.T.C.A.Ramanujam For Respondent : Mr.T.Ravi Kumar, Senior Standing Counsel Page 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ Tax Case No.1059 of 2019 J U D G M E N T (Delivered by M. DURAISWAMY, J) The appeal filed by the assessee under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 ('the Act' for brevity), is directed against the order dated 21.05.2019 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras "A" Bench, Chennai ('the Tribunal' for brevity) in I.T.A.No.3198/Mds/2017 for the Assessment Year 2011- 12. 2.The above appeal was admitted on the following Substantial Questions of Law for consideration: “1)Whether in the facts and circumstances of the case, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was justified in dismissing the appeal when the directions of the Tribunal in its earlier order have not been followed? 2)Whether in the facts and circumstances of the case, Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was justified in dismissing the matter when the sole basis of the assessment is the uncorroborated statement of the President of the Society? 3)Whether in the facts and circumstances of the case, Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was justified in ignoring the observations of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals)?” Page 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ Tax Case No.1059 of 2019 3. We have heard Mr.T.C.A.Ramanujam, learned counsel for the appellant/assessee and Mr.T.Ravi Kumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel for the respondent/Revenue. 4. It may not be necessary for this Court to decide the Substantial Questions of Law framed for consideration on account of certain subsequent developments. The Government of India enacted the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Act, 2020 (Act 3 of 2020) to provide for resolution of disputed tax and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The Act of the Parliament received the assent of the President on 17th March 2020 and published in the Gazette of India on 17th March 2020. 5.We are informed by the learned counsel for the appellant/ assessee that the assessee has already been issued with Form – 3 with Reference No.862945970221220. Page 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ Tax Case No.1059 of 2019 6. In the light of the fact that the assessee has already availed the benefit under the Act, no useful purpose would be served in keeping this appeal pending. At the same time, safeguarding the interest of the assessee in the event the order to be passed by the Department under the Act is not in favour of the assessee. Accordingly, the Tax Case Appeal is dismissed on the ground that the assessee has already been issued with Form - 3 and the Department shall process the applications at the earliest in accordance with the said Act and communicate the decision to the assessee at the earliest. As observed, the assessee is given liberty to restore this appeal in the event the ultimate decision to be taken on the declaration filed by the assessee under Section 4 of the said Act is not in favour of the assessee. If such a prayer is made, the Registry shall entertain the prayer without insisting upon any application to be filed for condonation of delay in restoration of the appeal and on such request made by the assessee by filing a Miscellaneous Petition for Restoration, the Registry shall place such petition before the Division Bench for orders. Page 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ Tax Case No.1059 of 2019 7. With this observation, the Tax Case Appeal is dismissed with the aforementioned liberty and consequently, the Substantial Questions of Law are left open. No costs.
[M.D., J.] [K.R., J.] Index : Yes/No 21.04.2021 Internet : Yes
va To 1. Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras "A" Bench 2.The Income Tax Officer, Non-Corporate Ward 3(2), Chennai – 600 034. Page 5/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ Tax Case No.1059 of 2019 M. DURAISWAMY, J. and KRISHNAN RAMASAMY, J. va Tax Case Appeal No.1059 of 2019
21.04.2021 Page 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/
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