PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF vs. SHRI A.N. RADHAKRISHNAN

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TCA/123/2018HC Madras28 August 2019Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice T. S. SIVAGNANAM4 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court dismissed the appeals filed by the Revenue. The dismissal was based on the submission by the Revenue that the appeals were not being pursued due to low tax effect, as per CBDT Circular No.17/2019, which raised the monetary threshold for appeals to the High Court to Rs.1 Crore. The Court noted that the tax effect in the respective cases was below this limit. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed were left open. The Revenue was granted liberty to mention the cases for restoration if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit. No costs were awarded.

What were the facts?

The appeals were filed by the Principal Commissioner of Income Tax 2, Chennai (Revenue) against the common order dated 05.08.2016 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'B' Bench. The appeals concerned assessment years 2004-05, 2003-04, 2005-06, and 2007-08, and challenged the deletion of penalties levied under Section 271(1)(c) and the interpretation of Section 271AAA of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The Revenue admitted the appeals on substantial questions of law on 03.04.2018. Subsequently, the Revenue sought to withdraw the appeals due to low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No.17/2019 which increased the monetary limit for appeals to the High Court to Rs.1 Crore.

What were the issues?

The Tribunal had to decide the following substantial questions of law: 1. Whether the Appellate Tribunal erred in law in setting aside the penalty levied under Section 271(1)(c) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, when the disclosure had been made at the time of assessment? 2. Whether the deletion of penalty by the Tribunal is vitiated by perversity? 3. What is the true meaning, scope, and purport of the expression "specified previous year" in sub-section (1) of Section 271AAA of the Income Tax Act, 1961? The Revenue argued that the penalty under Section 271(1)(c) should not have been set aside, and the deletion by the Tribunal was perverse. The Revenue also sought clarification on the meaning of "specified previous year" under Section 271AAA. The judgment does not record specific arguments from the assessee on these issues, but the appeals were admitted on these questions of law.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 271(1)(c),Section 271AAA

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.Nos.123 to 128 of 2018 In the High Court of Judicature at Madras Dated :28.08.2019 Coram : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Mrs.Justice V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal Nos.123 to 128 of 2018 Principal Commissioner of Income Tax 2, No.108, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Chennai - 600 034. ...Appellant Vs Shri.A.N.Radhakrishnan ...Respondent APPEALS under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the common order dated 05.08.2016 made in ITA.Nos.684, 650, 685, 686, 1076 and 1077/Mds/2013 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench for the assessment years 2004-05, 2003-04, 2005-06, 2007-08, 2004-05 and 2005-06. For Appellant : Mr.T.R.Senthilkumar, SSC assisted by Ms.K.G.Usharani For Respondent : Mr.A.S.Sriraman for Mr.S.Sridhar COMMON JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J) We have heard Mr.T.R.Senthilkumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel assisted by Ms.K.G.Usharani, learned Counsel appearing for the appellant – Revenue and Mr.A.S.Sriraman, learned counsel for Mr.S.Sridhar, learned counsel appearing for the respondent - assessee. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.123 to 128 of 2018 2.These appeals, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, are directed against the common order dated 05.08.2016 made in ITA.Nos.684, 650, 685, 686, 1076 and 1077/Mds/2013 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench for the assessment years 2004-05, 2003-04, 2005-06, 2007-08, 2004-05 and 2005-06. 3.The appeals were admitted on 03.04.2018 on the following substantial questions of law : “i.Whether the Appellate Tribunal erred in law in setting aside the penalty levied under Section 271(1)(c) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, when the disclosure had been made at the time of assessment? ii.Whether the deletion of penalty by the Tribunal is vitiated by perversity? iii.What is the true meaning scope and purport of the expression "specified previous year" in sub-section (1) of Section 271AAA of the Income Tax Act, 1961?" 4.The learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant submits that the above appeals are not pursued by the Revenue on account of the low tax effect in terms of Circular No.17/2019 dated 08.8.2019 issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes. By the said Circular, the monetary limit for filing or pursuing an appeal before the High Court has been increased to Rs.1 Crore. It 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.123 to 128 of 2018 is further submitted that the tax effect in the respective cases is less than the threshold limit. 5. In the light of the said submissions, the above tax case appeals are dismissed on account of the low tax effect. The substantial questions of law framed are left open. In the event the tax effect in the respective cases is above the threshold limit fixed in the said circular, liberty is granted to the Revenue to make a mention to this Court to restore the appeals to be heard and decided on merits. No costs. (T.S.S.J.) (V.B.S.J.) 28.08.2019 [2/2] cse Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order Index : Yes (or) No To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.123 to 128 of 2018 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.Nos.123 to 128 of 2018 28.08.2019 [2/2] 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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